Last Updated on December 14, 2025 11:44 am
Ashe County Sheriff's Office announces completion of second wave with 27 arrests in Wilkes County, bringing total operation to 75+ individuals charged as investigation continues.
ASHE COUNTY — Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell announced Tuesday that Wave 2 has been completed in what continues to be the most significant drug trafficking takedown in Ashe County history.
The second wave of Operation Crystal Ball includes 33 newly charged individuals, 27 arrests, eight previously arrested individuals with additional outstanding warrants, and six individuals who remain wanted by authorities.
Wave 2 Focused on Wilkes County Network
Wave 2 commenced December 3 and remained ongoing through recent days. The Ashe County Sheriff's Office, in coordination with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, conducted the majority of arrests in Wilkes County.
Following arrests in the Wilkesboro area, all subjects were transported to the Ashe County Detention Center for processing.
Sheriff Howell extended appreciation to the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, North Wilkesboro Police Department, and Wilkesboro Police Department for their support during this phase of the operation.
Sheriff Praises Detectives' Dedication
“We are incredibly proud of our Detectives and the countless hours they have poured into this investigation,” Sheriff Howell said. “They have worked tirelessly, day and night, even throughout the holidays to see this case through.”
Howell emphasized the value of multi-agency partnerships in disrupting drug distribution networks operating across the Carolinas.
“Our partnerships and mutual-aid agreements allow the Ashe County Sheriff's Office to reach far beyond the borders of Ashe County, seizing larger quantities of narcotics and dismantling drug networks operating across the Carolinas,” he said. “While some of these drugs may ultimately find their way into our communities, we are actively disrupting distribution throughout the state.”
The sheriff credited Assistant District Attorney Leigh Bricker for guiding the case from the investigation's first day. “We can't do this alone,” Howell added.
Highest Bond: $1.175 Million
Julio Cesar Medina, 34, of Boomer, was booked under a $1,175,000 secured bond — the highest bond in Wave 2. His charges include three counts of attempted trafficking in methamphetamine by sale, two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, continuing criminal enterprise, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, probation violation, selling schedule II controlled substance, and maintaining a place for controlled substances.
Continuing Criminal Enterprise is a serious felony indicating a supervisory position in an ongoing criminal operation involving at least five people.
Other Major Bonds
Misty Lynn Testerman, 39, of Millers Creek, faces an $800,000 secured bond with 32 counts of conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, five counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, felony conspiracy, possession of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine.
David Barry Eller, 58, of Wilkesboro, was booked under a $425,000 secured bond. His charges include conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, continuing criminal enterprise, and two counts of conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Donald Jeffery Gant, 54, of Moravian Falls, was booked under a $250,000 secured bond. His charges include continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Rebecca Ann Call, 47, of Wilkesboro, was booked under a $175,000 bond. Her charges include six counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
Rocky Lee Cleary, 48, of Hays, was booked under a $125,000 bond. His charges include five counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Jerry Lee Luther, 52, of Wilkesboro, was booked under a $75,000 bond. His charges include six counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Additional Wave 2 Arrests
Other individuals arrested during Wave 2 include:
Anthony William Saner, 44, of Roaring River – $50,000 bond: Three counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Mark Raymond Love, 59, of Millers Creek – $50,000 bond: Four counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Barbara Danielle Alexander, 36, of Roaring River – $50,000 bond: Four counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Tony Wade Young, 48, of Wilkesboro – $50,000 bond: Four counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
William Thomas Johnson, 67, of Hays – $50,000 bond: Three counts conspiracy to send/deliver schedule II controlled substance, felony conspiracy
Ronda Diana Hart, 65, of Millers Creek – $27,500 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, possession schedule II controlled substance
Jerome Ray Leeper, 53, of West Jefferson – $25,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Kenneth Brian Cleary, 52, of North Wilkesboro – $25,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Pamela Denise Logan, 63, of North Wilkesboro – $25,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Allison Shauntee Love, 46, of North Wilkesboro – $25,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Lowell Kevin Powers, 60, of Millers Creek – $25,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Peggy Ann Johnson, 47, of North Wilkesboro – $25,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Marie Church Oakley, 51, of Millers Creek – $25,000 bond: Four counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule III controlled substance
John Charles Severt, 56, of Jefferson – $18,500 bond: Six counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, possession of controlled substance on jail premises
Kaitlin Gail Foskey, 28, of Ferguson – $15,000 bond: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Individuals Booked at Other Detention Centers
Several individuals were arrested and initially booked at detention centers in other counties:
Natasha Horton of Boomer was booked at Wilkes County Detention Center: Conspiracy to traffic more than 28 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine
Nathan Shuping of North Wilkesboro was booked at Wilkes County Detention Center: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Georgia Absher of Wilkesboro was booked at Wilkes County Detention Center: Conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Tiffany Ashley Colbert of Moravian Falls was arrested in Wilkes County: Conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Craig White of Lenoir was booked at Caldwell County Detention Center: Conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Chris Bare, wanted from Ashe County during Wave 1, was booked at Bristol, Virginia Detention Center: Conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine
Currently Incarcerated Individuals Served with Additional Warrants
Eight individuals who were already incarcerated were served with additional warrants:
Matthew Cobbs, incarcerated at Ashe County Detention Center: 14 counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine over 400 grams, trafficking methamphetamine 28-200 grams
Marcus Joe Gwyn, 49, of Purlear: 21 counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule III controlled substance
Tasha Anderson, incarcerated at Ashe County Detention Center: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine 28-200 grams, conspiracy to possess firearm by felon
Darien Corey McCulloch, incarcerated at Wilkes County Detention Center: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Gerardo Galan Gomaz, incarcerated at Watauga County Detention Center: Two counts conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Alton Hensley was served at Wilkes County Detention Center: Trafficking methamphetamine
Ricky Tanner Griffin, incarcerated at state prison: Conspiracy to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance
Eight Individuals Still Wanted
The Ashe County Sheriff's Office continues to seek the following individuals in connection with Operation Crystal Ball:
- Dalton Kennedy
- Corey Bolt
- Toby Billings
- Brian Dishman
- Hannah Hamby
- Steven Burke
- Glenna Greer
- Arnaldo Torres (not pictured)
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Ashe County Sheriff's Office at 336-846-5600.
Multi-Agency Partnership
Sheriff Howell thanked all agencies that contributed to Operation Crystal Ball, including:
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), North Wilkesboro Police Department, Wilkes County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, United States Postal Inspectors Service, Alamance County Sheriff's Office (CANE-K), Davidson Sheriff's Office, Lexington Police Department, Kannapolis Police Department, Wake County Sheriff's Office, Greensboro Police Department (VCAT), Alleghany County Sheriff's Office, Watauga County Sheriff's Office, Boone Police Department, Wilkesboro Police Department, West Jefferson Police Department, South Bend Police Department (Indiana), St. Joseph's County Sheriff's Office (Indiana), Wisconsin State Patrol, North Carolina Regional Fugitive Apprehension Team, Jackson County Sheriff's Office (Wisconsin), Johnson County Sheriff's Office (Tennessee), Surry County Sheriff's Office, 34th Prosecutorial District Attorney's Office, and Georgia Department of Corrections.
Operation Background
Operation Crystal Ball began in January 2025 as an investigation by the Ashe County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The investigation rapidly expanded from two agencies to involve assistance from more than 23 partner agencies across multiple states.
Wave 1 of the operation, announced in November, resulted in approximately 42 arrests with an estimated 80 to 100 total arrests anticipated as the investigation continues.
The operation began with the arrest of Joseph Derrick Eller, 44, of Jefferson, who was first arrested on August 15, 2025, and again on November 19, 2025. Eller remains in the Ashe County Detention Center on a $1.8 million bond.
Related: Operation Crystal Ball: Largest Drug Bust in Ashe County History Nets 42 Arrests
