Charges in this investigation were first brought forth in January, when Antonne Dewillard SMITH Jr. was arrested concerning prescription medication fraud and receiving controlled prescription substances.
Last month, as the investigation continued, Tara Evette ELLIS-PAYTON was taken into custody in Asheville by the Asheville Police Department.
Ellis-Payton was charged by IGRANT with:
-(3) Counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud/Forgery
-(6) Counts of Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
Khaleigh Montana PEAK was also taken into custody in Asheville last month by members of the US Marshals Carolina Reginal Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) and IGRANT.
PEAK was charged by IGRANT with:
-(1) Count of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud/Forgery
-(2) Counts of Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
Both PEAK and ELLIS-PAYTON are currently being housed at the Buncombe County Detention Facility.
BCSO District 1 Captain Dustan Auldredge: “The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious concern for our community and the Sheriff's Office. Our deputies work diligently to pursue offenders in these cases and to prevent these drugs from getting into the hands of people struggling with addiction.”
Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.