Local News
West End man indicted in 2024 fentanyl overdose death
A Moore County man has been arrested in connection with a 2024 overdose death in West End, according to the sheriff’s office.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Patrol Deputies with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1000 block of Lucas Road in West End in reference to a possible narcotics overdose. Upon arrival, deputies and Moore County EMS located Emily Seawell, 24, who was suffering from an apparent drug overdose. Despite lifesaving measures performed by EMS personnel, Seawell was pronounced deceased at the scene.
During the course of the investigation, detectives identified Brandon Thomas as the individual suspected of providing fentanyl to the victim. An autopsy was conducted at the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office, and after more than a year of review, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office received the toxicology report confirming that Seawell’s cause of death was a fentanyl overdose.
“Based on evidence gathered throughout the investigation, a Moore County Grand Jury indicted Brandon Thomas on October 6, 2025, for Felony Death by Distribution by Deliver with Malice,” writes the sheriff’s office in a press release. “Detectives arrested Thomas on October 13, 2025, and transported him to the Moore County Detention Center, where he was served with the true bill of indictment.”
Brandon Thomas, 42 years of age, of West End, was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $1,000,000 secured bond with a Court Date of October 30.
Sheriff Fields expressed his sincere condolences to the family of Emily Seawell, stating that they remain in the thoughts and prayers of the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
“Although Emily is no longer with us, we hope that the indictment in this case will provide her family with some measure of relief, knowing that someone has been held accountable,” writes Sheriff Fields.
He also commended the efforts of all the detectives and deputies whose diligence and commitment made this arrest possible.
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Defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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