FAYETTEVILLE - The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office recently concluded an investigation targeting illegal possession and sales of alcoholic beverages in Cumberland County. Due to a number of complaints, the investigation centered on ABC licensed businesses located in the vicinity of Methodist College. The first phase of the investigation focused on ABC permitted businesses.

ALE Agents, with the help of an 18- year-old volunteer, visited convenience and grocery stores in the area of Methodist College to determine whether or not businesses would sell alcoholic beverages to a person less than 21 years of age. None of the businesses checked sold to the underage person.

“Retailers in Cumberland County are taking seriously their responsibility to ensure alcoholic beverages are not sold to people under 21.” said Jason Locklear, ALE agent assigned to Cumberland County. “Our enforcement and educational efforts in Cumberland County appear to be working and we'll continue our compliance operations to ensure this trend persists.”

The second phase of the investigation targeted underage consumers purchasing and possessing alcoholic beverages. Undercover ALE Agents visited grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, nightclubs, and house parties open to the public after receiving information that underage people were purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages. This phase of the investigation resulted in numerous people charged with underage possession of alcoholic beverages. Six people were also charged with using fictitious identification to purchase alcoholic beverages.

ALE agents and Cumberland County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at a home located at 517 Hidden Valley Lane, Fayetteville. Forty-two people inside the house were charged with underage possession of alcoholic beverages. Two occupants of the house were charged with aiding and abetting underage possession of alcoholic beverages.

Additionally, a tip during the operation led to the arrest of an employee of the Cumberland County School System. Ivan Lamario Little was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and deliver, manufacture of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia after agents found marijuana packaged for sale, scales, and numerous plastic bags at Little's home. At the time of his arrest, Little was employed as an in-school suspension counselor at Pine Forest High School.

ALE is a division of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. Its agents have authority to arrest and take investigatory action for any criminal offense. Their primary responsibility is the enforcement of the ABC laws and regulations and drug laws. Their primary emphasis is on locations that distribute alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

Charged with underage possession of alcoholic beverages and/or using fictitious identification to obtain alcoholic beverages.

Joseph V. Pocalyko, 18, Fayetteville, NC

Nicholas J. Boutin, 19, Fayetteville, NC

Jake J. Stearns, 18, Milford, CT.

Brian P. Wilson, 18, Portland, OR

Timothy McKay, 18, Fayetteville, NC

Ryan F. Thompson, 19, Chesepeake, VA

Jeffrey L. Little, Jr., 20, Raleigh, NC

Deryk A. Schlessinger, 20, Fayetteville, NC

Michael A. Smith, Jr., 20, Fayetteville, NC

Ashley M. Soan, 20, Fayetteville, NC

Adam J. Rothblatt, 18, Hillsborough, NJ

Scott D. Russell, 19, Asheville, NC

Sean H. Marable, 20, Chesapeake, VA

Robert L. Kisiah, 19, Asheville, NC

Matthew A. Bolte, 19, Jupiter, FL

Brittany E. Rea, 19, Sanford, NC

Chase F. Cates, III, 19, Hillsborough, NC

Philip M. Betterly, 19, Bristow, VA

Ryan V. Ashley, 19, North Wilkesboro, NC

Dallas J. Hart, 18, Hope Mills, NC

Bari J. Tilley, 18, Burlington, NC

Steven G. Brumbaugh, 18, Hainesport, NJ

Jeremy Y. Bordeaux, 19, Seabrook Island, SC

Elliott K. Bisplinghoff, 19, Durham, NC

Desmond B. Keane, 19, St. Petersburg, FL.

Christopher Komons, 19, Frederick, MD

David A. Knight, 19, Fort Bragg, NC

Melinda M. Meyer, 19, Hampstead, NC

Tyler Scott D. Bucheister, 20, Virginia Beach, VA

Timothy N. Geary, 20, Mullica Hill, NJ

Jimmy D. Izaquirre, 20, Morganton, NC

Jesse W. Handy, 20, Fayetteville, NC

Jessica L. Ripley, 19, Fayetteville, NC

Clarence A. Baker, 18, Fayetteville, NC

Ryan C. O'Neil, 20, Washington, NJ

Brian C. Vranek, 19, Fayetteville, NC

Steven C. Skinner, Jr., 19, Burgaw, NC

Sean T. Gregory, 19, Fayetteville, NC

James P. Gunderson, 18, Fayetteville, NC

Roderick B. Humphrey, 19, Fayetteville, NC

Evan R. Monteiro, 18, Fayetteville, NC

Braxton R. Teachey, 18, Rose Hill, NC

Brenda P. Chambers, 20, Fayetteville, NC

Jacqueline N. McGrath, 17, Fayetteville, NC

Micaela V. Keel, 20, Bladenboro, NC

Other Charges

Ryan C. Brandt, 22, Durham, NC, Give alcoholic beverages to an underage person

Ivan L. Little, 24, Fayetteville, NC, Possession of marijuana with intent to sell and deliver, Manufacture of marijuana, and Possession of drug paraphernalia

Terry L. Little, 22, Fayetteville, NC, Possession of marijuana with intent to sell and deliver, Manufacture of marijuana, and Possession of drug paraphernalia

James R. Campbell, 21, Fayetteville, NC, Possession of marijuana, Possession of vicodin, Possession of Drug paraphernalia

Brandon R. Cunningham, 18, Missouri City, TX, Possession of marijuana

Andre E. Williamson, 24, Fayetteville, NC, Carry a concealed weapon

John A. Oxendine, 47, Bunn Level, NC, Open container violation

John P. Campbell, 26, Lillington, NC, Open container violation

Terence A. Williams, Jr., 24, Erwin, NC, Open container violation, Consume malt beverages on premises holding an off-premise permit

Ronnie Seaberry, 47, Fayetteville, NC, Drive while license revoked

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