Man arrested 3 times on heroin trafficking charges

A press release from the sheriff’s office said Jason Scott Dillard, 41, of 725 Old U.S. 80 in Gold Hill “did not get the message the first time” and also used the same hiding place for the bulk of his drugs each time: a locked safe.

The original arrest took place Thursday, Feb. 8, after a two-year-long investigation culminated in Dillard’s arrest. During that two-year period, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office had received repeated complaints of heroin trafficking taking place at Dillard’s residence in easternmost Rowan County, according to a report.

The investigation showed that Dillard was receiving and distributing amounts of at least 100 grams of heroin per week, which was being obtained through Mexican National suppliers in Charlotte, law enforcement said. Between August 2017 and September 2017, three purchases of heroin were made from Dillard at his Gold Hill residence.

In the initial arrest, investigators with the Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Dillard’s residence and seized approximately 17 grams of heroin packaged individually for sale, 102 prescription pills totaling 14 grams, around $6,000 cash and suspected stolen property, law enforcement said. Also found inside the residence was a money counting machine and evidence of ongoing counterfeiting of money, according to a report. There was a video surveillance system inside and outside the residence.

From the purchases of heroin in August and September, Dillard was charged with three counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin. As to the search warrant, Dillard was charged with trafficking heroin by possession, trafficking opiate by possession, possession with intent to sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances, and simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance. Dillard was placed under a $100,000 secured bond.

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, deputies visited Dillard’s residence a second time to arrest him on a conspiracy to traffick heroin warrant, which was related to the incident on Feb. 8, law enforcement said. Deputies found Dillard inside a second story bedroom along with two other individuals. Dillard’s girlfriend, Brittany Michelle Tucker, 28, who lived at the residence, was shooting up heroin, according to a report. Two other syringes loaded with heroin were in plain view in the bedroom.

A third person, Kenneth Wayne Moose, 36, a resident of 1825 Liberty Road in Gold Hill, was found in possession of heroin, law enforcement said. Investigators received consent to search the residence and seized approximately 25 grams of heroin packaged for sale, two grams of methamphetamine, $297 in United States currency and other drug paraphernalia.

Dillard was taken before a Rowan County Magistrate Judge and continued under the same $100,000 bond.

Tucker was charged with sell of Opana on Sept. 8, 2017. Tucker was additionally charged with possession of heroin, possession of Oxymorphone and possession of Clonazepam for the incident on Feb. 13. Her bond was set at $7,500.

Moose was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,500.

On Friday, Feb. 16, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office visited Dillard for the third time in eight days. This time the sheriff’s office had a search warrant and more arrest warrants and was joined by the N.C. Department of Revenue Unauthorized Substance Tax Division to enforce drug taxes owed by Dillard.

Dillard and Tucker were located in their second-story bedroom, according to a report. During the search of the residence, deputies located approximately 8.6 grams of heroin, a small quantity of methamphetamine, $745 cash, counterfeit money and assorted drug paraphernalia. Also discovered in the bedroom was the ongoing counterfeiting of $100 bills, law enforcement said. Three vehicles and personal property were taken to partially satisfy the taxes owed by Dillard.

For the incident on Feb. 13, Dillard was charged with trafficking heroin by possession, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

For the incident on Feb. 16, Dillard was charged with trafficking heroin by possession, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rowan County Magistrate Judge Mark Wilhelm set Dillard’s bond at $2 million.

For the incident on Feb. 16, Tucker was charged with trafficking heroin by possession, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Wilhelm set Tucker’s bond at $2 million.

Dillard has felony convictions for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession of cocaine. Dillard also has numerous misdemeanor convictions.

Moose has felony convictions for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and credit card theft. Moose also has misdemeanor convictions for impersonating a police officer and assault on a female.

Tucker has a misdemeanor larceny conviction and is on supervised probation.