Sheriff’s Targeted Enforcement Program Nets Multiple Arrests Tied To Drugs, Guns, Gangs

Durham, NC – On Thursday (May 25), Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead announced the results of a recent Sheriff’s Targeted Enforcement Program (STEP) Operation that resulted in the arrest of multiple individuals. Covering an 8-day period at the end of April and beginning of May 2023, the STEP operation crisscrossed Durham County; seeking out multiple people suspected of various felonies including those tied to drug, gun violence, and gang activity.

Durham County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) along with the assistance of deputies from Orange and Alamance County, accomplished the following:

• 61 Outstanding Warrants Served
• 72 Additional Felony Charges
• 72 Additional Misdemeanor Charges
• 10 Firearms Seized
• 2 Stolen Vehicles Recovered
• Recovered Drugs

– Schedule I: 2 grams (i.e., Methamphetamine)

– Schedule II: 98.34 grams (i.e., Cocaine)

– Schedule VI 253/97 grams (i.e., Marijuana)

At the start of the operation, investigators set out to take into custody ten (10) individuals with active warrants and focused on crime data indicating locations across Durham County with high instances of gun violence and drug activity. During this specific STEP operation, the following people were located and arrested:

Carson Reed Hawkins, 32, of Durham. Hawkins was wanted on charges of B&E to a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny, simple assault, DWI, and injury to personal property. He is currently in the Durham County Detention Center on a $30,000 secured bond.

Zane Lee Swain, 26, of Durham was wanted on charges of felony probation violation and attempted felony larceny. He was arrested and released to the custody of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office on these charges.

Tracy Saunder Warren, 29, of Durham was wanted on charges of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, felony larceny, and attempted felony larceny. After his arrest, he was given an unsecured bond by a magistrate and released.

Travion Joshua Prince, 20, of Durham was wanted on three (3) counts of felony carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of schedule VI narcotics. He was given a $125,000 secured bond and is currently on pretrial electronic monitoring.

Walter Allen, 39, of Durham was wanted on 16 county of larceny of motor vehicle parts and remains in the Durham County Detention Center under a $67,000 secured bond.

Roysey Lamont Ward Jr., 33, of Durham was wanted on charges of Possession of Firearm by Felon, 3 counts of felony probation violation, and absconder. He posted an $82,000 secured bond and was released.

Eric Feliciano, 29, of Durham was wanted on charges of possession of methamphetamine and multiple felony probation violations. He was given a $60,000 bond by a magistrate and transferred to Granville County.

In addition to these individuals with active warrants, additional arrests were made on the following:

 

Elijah Devon Page, 18, of Durham

• Carrying a concealed gun
• Resisting a public officer (2 counts)
• Failure to appear on a felony
• Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
• Page was not given a bond; as he was released to probation and parole.

Kenneth Tyvon Jones, 25, of Durham

• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Possession of firearm by a felon
• Parole violation
• Jones was detained in the Durham County Detention Center with a $250,000 secured bond and later released to probation and parole.

Jaquetta Lee, 31, of Durham was released on an unsecured bond after being charged with:

• Possession of Stolen Firearm
• Possession of firearm by a Felon

Timarco Melvin, 33, of Durham posted a $100,000 secured bond and was released after being charged with:

• Possession of Firearm by a felon
• Carrying a concealed gun

Jerome Gaddy, 22, of Durham was charged with:

• Concealed handgun permit violation
• PWISD Marijuana
• He posted a $1000 bond and was released.

Kevin Bumphus, 34 of Durham posted a $10,000 bond after being charged with multiple crimes that include:

• 

  Possession of firearm by a felon

• PWIMSD Marijuana
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Flee/elude arrest
• DWLR
• Carrying concealed gun
• Resisting a public officer

Jazmin Tenae Hayes, 33, of Durham posted a $20,000 bond and was released after being charged with multiple crimes that include:

• 

  Create a counterfeit Controlled Substance

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• PWISD Cocaine
• PWISD Counterfeit CS
• Simple Possession of SCH VI CS
• Probation Violation 

The mission of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office is public safety, and these most recent arrests are the culmination of weeks of intense investigation specifically related to the increase of gun violence, drug, and gang activity on our local streets,” Sheriff Birkhead said. “We are laser-focused on bringing these perpetrators to justice – as well as those who are still at large – as we continue to take a proactive approach to hold those accountable for wreaking havoc in our community. I would like to thank Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson and the Alamance County Strike Team, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood, and the Orange County Strike Team. These professionals worked with DCSO’s Strike Team, SCOPE, and Traffic Units so that we all may have continued success in our respective counties. Crime has no boundaries”, Sheriff Birkhead continued. “Criminals move back and forth across county lines and law enforcement must do the same. Through partnerships like this with our neighboring agencies, we will make all of our communities safer, better places to live and work.”

Members of the community who have information on wanted persons or criminal activity may call the Durham County Sheriff’s Office at 919-560-0900 or Durham Crimestoppers at 919-683-1200.