Joint ALE and RPD Investigation Targets Illegal Activity in Moore Square, Yields 35 Arrests

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) and the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) are highlighting the results of a joint investigation into illegal activity occurring at the GoRaleigh Station and Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, resulting in 35 individuals facing more than 130 felony charges.

In June 2026, RPD requested assistance from ALE to help combat a rise in criminal activity and a decline in the quality of life in and around the Moore Square area as part of its annual summer action plan. This request followed complaints received by ALE special agents regarding illegal alcohol and drug activity from several of the ABC-licensed establishments surrounding Moore Square. Local business owners shared their concerns and growing worries regarding the safety of their employees and patrons.

This investigation found illegal alcohol and drug activity taking place in areas where children were playing and going to school, and where families were going to church.

In one instance, a juvenile suspect sold crack cocaine to an undercover agent in a public park restroom while EMS was responding to an overdose call just feet away, all while children and their parents unknowingly played.

Undercover ALE agents were able to purchase illegal drugs and alcohol on numerous occasions, often repeatedly from the same individuals, including several juveniles. The investigation showed that individuals selling controlled substances in and around Moore Square were targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our community, including individuals struggling with addiction.

While serving a juvenile petition on an involved 17-year-old suspect, ALE and RPD encountered a middle school-aged absconder. The juvenile absconder had a secure custody order for attempted murder that was subsequently served. Crack cocaine and stolen property were later found in the juvenile's possession.

Agents seized a variety of controlled substances throughout the investigation, with the largest amounts being crack cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol.

ALE and RPD identified over 30 individuals involved in the trafficking and selling of controlled substances.

During the investigation, law enforcement identified a network responsible for manufacturing crack cocaine and supplying it directly to the Moore Square area. Investigators tied the manufacturing operation to a residence in Zebulon. ALE agents executed a search warrant at 521 Duggins Oak Drive in Zebulon, where they recovered a firearm, crack cocaine, and active manufacturing equipment.

Eighteen-year-old D'onte Tarez Johnson was indicted and charged with Felony Continuing a Criminal Enterprise, among other charges, due to his heavy involvement and leadership in this supply chain network.

"These results demonstrate what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together toward a common goal," said Raleigh Police Chief Boyce. "Our officers and our partners at the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division worked together to share intelligence, coordinate enforcement efforts, and leverage our respective expertise. These efforts help us address criminal activity and make our downtown community safer."

ALE agents additionally partnered with the Wake County District Attorney's Office to secure indictments for eight involved individuals. Last week, one of those indicted committed a stabbing just outside of Moore Square hours before the indictment was served.

"Downtown Raleigh is a place everyone should be able to safely enjoy," said Wake County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Crosby. "I commend the Raleigh Police Department and the NC ALE on this operation and commit our office to continued partnership."

Over half of those involved in the investigation have prior violent criminal histories, with 23 of the 35 individuals arrested being convicted felons, and six being habitual felons, one violent. Two of the individuals charged are convicted registered sex offenders. Agents also received juvenile petitions for two juveniles involved in the sale of crack cocaine.

"During interactions with downtown businesses, owners and employees raised safety concerns with our agents about crimes occurring right outside their doors. Those concerns, along with the Raleigh Police Department's Downtown Initiative and summer action plan, created a clear opportunity for ALE and RPD to partner on this effort," said ALE Director Bryan House. "Through this undercover operation, ALE special agents and RPD officers focused on identifying and addressing the networks involved in illegal activity in these areas. This investigation underscores our shared commitment to supporting a safe downtown environment in our capital city."

Following the operation, local business owners and residents have expressed appreciation to law enforcement, citing an improvement in neighborhood safety and quality of life.

Many of these suspects are now in custody, with additional arrests expected in the coming days. The following individuals have been charged:

Javis Eugene Stancil III, 36, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park (3 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (3 counts)
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver MDMA within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver MDMA within 1,000 feet of a school
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a school
• Felony Possession of MDMA
• Felony Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
• Felony Conspire to Deliver Crack Cocaine
• Simple Possession of Marijuana

Eric Sebastian Perry, 48, of Raleigh - indicted

• Felony Habitual Felon
• Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury
• Felony Sell Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Deliver Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession of Crack Cocaine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

D'onte Tarez Johnson, 18, of Raleigh - indicted

• Felony Continuing a Criminal Enterprise
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine (3 counts)
• Felony Sell Crack Cocaine (3 counts)
• Felony Deliver Crack Cocaine (3 counts)
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine
• Underage Possession of Spirituous Liquor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Lee Covington, 57, of Raleigh - indicted

• Felony Violent Habitual Felon
• Felony Habitual Felon
• Felony Sell Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park

Archie Allen Felton, 52, of Raleigh - indicted

• Felony Habitual Felon
• Felony Sell Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park

Tyre Monte Warren, 32, of Raleigh - indicted

• Felony Habitual Felon
• Felony Sell Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Deliver Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park

Michael Edward Petty, 46, of Raleigh - indicted

• Felony Habitual Felon
• Felony Sell Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Charles Antonio Robinson, 51, of Burlington - indicted

• Felony Habitual Felon
• Felony Sell Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park

Michael Brandon Williams, 38, of Cary

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park (13 counts)
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Michael Angelo Jones, 65, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (3 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park (6 counts)

Shanna Denise Moore, 48, of Lawndale

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (2 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park (2 counts)
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Jada Denise Applewhite, 19, of Zebulon - indicted

• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine (3 counts)
• Felony Sell Crack Cocaine (2 counts)
• Felony Deliver Crack Cocaine (2 counts)
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine
• Underage Possession of Spirituous Liquor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Gerard Eric Jennett, 30, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school (3 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a park (3 counts)

Tony Milbourne, 63, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park (3 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (3 counts)
• Felony Conspire to Deliver Crack Cocaine

Devin Mashe Stoval, 30, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (2 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park (2 counts)
• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Counterfeit Controlled Substance
• Felony Deliver a Counterfeit Controlled Substance
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Amari Sherod Smith, 26, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a school (3 counts)
• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a park (3 counts)
• Attempted Larceny
• Resisting a Public Officer

Colonel Mack Woods, 38, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a park (3 counts)

Demetrius Tyshaun Bonaparte, 29, of Clayton

• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Counterfeit Controlled Substance
• Felony Sell a Counterfeit Controlled Substance
• Felony Deliver a Counterfeit Controlled Substance
• Possession of Alcohol for Sale Without Permits (2 counts)
• Unauthorized Possession of Alcohol

Robert Earl Hinton, 71, of Raleigh

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a park

Anthony Jerome McCray, 46, of Garner

• Felony Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park
• Felony Possession of Crack Cocaine
• Simple Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia

Marcell Olin Bullock, 56, of Raleigh

• Felony Possession of Crack Cocaine
• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Crystal Lynn Maguire, 52, of Raleigh

• Felony Possession of Crack Cocaine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Regina Denise Applewhite, 42, of Zebulon

• Felony Maintain a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance
• Felony Aid and Abet

Kerry Jones, 54, of Raleigh

• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Wardell Alson Pettihome, 39, of Raleigh

• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Theodore McNeill, 56, of Knightdale

• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Mason Ervin Peebles, 26, of Raleigh

• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Daejon Lamon Wilson, 25, of Raleigh

• Felony Conspire to Sell Crack Cocaine

Reginald Wayne Lee, 66, of Raleigh

• Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without a Permit (4 counts)
• Conspiracy to Sell Alcoholic Beverage Without a Permit

Timothy Gregory Davis, 32, of Raleigh

• Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without a Permit (2 counts)
• Possession to Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without Permits

Milton Earl Jones, 69, of Raleigh

• Possession of Alcohol for Sale Without Permits (2 counts)
• Conspiracy to Sell Alcohol Without Permits

Danele Earl Smith, 42, of Garner

• Resisting a Public Officer
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia