U.S. Marshals, Asheville PD Month-Long ‘Operation Mountain Justice’ Leads to 32 Arrests in Buncombe County

Asheville, NC – A U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) and Asheville Police Department (APD) operation conducted from Aug. 1-31 throughout western North Carolina has led to 32 arrests.

Operation Mountain Justice was conducted in multiple counties of western North Carolina to locate and apprehend subjects with active felony warrants for multiple offenses.

Operation Mountain Justice significant arrests:

Terry Wolfe, 40, of Asheville, wanted out of Buncombe County for multiple counts of assault by strangulation, dangerous drugs, and larceny of motor vehicle.  Members of CRFTF and APD located and apprehended Wolfe on Aug. 20 in the 200 block of Short Michigan Street. During the arrest, APD seized 572 grams of methamphetamine, 66.03 grams of fentanyl, 14.34 grams of cocaine, a sawed-off shotgun, a shotgun, a handgun, and $850 in U.S. currency. 

Montreal Little John, 41, of Asheville, wanted out of Buncombe County for felony probation violation, (armed robbery).  Members of CRFTF and APD located and apprehended Little John on Aug. 18 at an apartment in the 20 block of Camby Street.

James Boone, 36, of Weaverville, wanted out of Buncombe County for felony probation violation, (possession of weapon).  Members of CRFTF located and arrested Boone on Aug. 18 in the 30 block of Ralph Rice Road in Weaverville.

Jorge Garcia Ordaz, 28, of Weaverville, wanted out of Buncombe County for sexual exploitation of a minor. Members of CRFTF located and arrested Ordaz on Reems Creek Road. 

Takeia Davis and Karriam Taylor, of Asheville, were arrested by APD and State Bureau of Investigation in a housing complex in Asheville.  APD requested CRFTF’s assistance in clearing the apartment building, which was a known location for fugitives. CRFTF members cleared the apartment as APD obtained a search warrant and seized 5.36 pounds of methamphetamine, 254.67 grams of fentanyl, 100.6 grams of purple fentanyl, 22.89 grams of blue pill fentanyl, 40.23 grams of powder cocaine, and 61.36 grams of crack cocaine.

Carlton Pannell, 46, of Asheville, wanted out of Buncombe County for assault by strangulation.  Pannell was arrested around Biltmore Park on Aug. 20.

Blake Spangler, 26, of Candler, wanted out of Buncombe County for probation violation and multiple counts of fraud. Spangler was arrested on Aug. 26 in the 600 block of Justice Ridge Road in Candler.

Jennifer Fox, 45, of Asheville, wanted for bond violation from U.S. Probation on original charges of trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm.  Fox was apprehended on Aug. 19 in the 40 block of Little Billy Lane in Asheville.

Summary: 
The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force’s partnership with Asheville Police Department has made an extraordinary impact on Buncombe County. The arrests made during Operation Mountain Justice contributed toward making the Asheville community a safer place.  

The USMS CRFTF began operations in January 2018. The CRFTF has partnership agreements with four federal and 68 state and local agencies; and operates throughout South Carolina and North Carolina. The CRFTF has apprehended more than 8,900 fugitives since its inception and is always striving to make communities safer. 

U.S. Marshals task forces combine the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives. Dedicated to reducing violent crime by locating and apprehending wanted criminals, they also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. Task force officers are state and local police officers who receive special deputations with the Marshals. While on a task force, these officers can exercise U.S. Marshals authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines. 

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov