A major player in an area drug conspiracy has been arrested in California. Dwayne Bullock, 35, of Newton was apprehended Wednesday in National City by the U.S.Marshal Service. The investigation began last summer with a probe of activity at the McDowell County residence of Jamie Leonard Tate, 36. It was determined that Tate and Bullock conspired with numerous people to traffic and distribute hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as lesser amounts of cocaine and heroin. Bullock had been on the run since April 18th, when authorities conducted raids in McDowell, Burke and Catawba counties. 20 people have been arrested in connection with the conspiracy. Some are considered man players and some mid-level drug dealers.

A 26 mile chase from Burke into McDowell County ends with an arrest. Just before 6pm Wednesday, Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to the Morganton Heights Shopping Center in reference to a larceny at Belk. Officers spotted the suspect's vehicle on West Fleming Drive turning onto Golf Course Road and after officers attempted to stop the vehicle the suspect fled onto Hopewell Road and continued into McDowell County, before ending off of Tatertown Road. Jennifer Deanne McMahan was arrested and charged with one count of Felonious Flee to Elude. She was served with multiple outstanding warrants from surrounding counties such as McDowell and Catawba. McMahan was placed in the Burke Catawba Detention Facility under a $19,000 secured bond.

A 42-year-old Hickory man was sentenced to 4 to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday. Rodriguez Lavan entered into a guilty plea, even though the case actually went to trial. Lavan entered into his plea after all the evidence had been presented. Investigators from the Hickory Police Department reviewed video surveillance from a January 2015 incident at a Hickory convenience store that showed the defendant to be a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was arrested at the same store about three hours later. Lavan's prison term was enhanced from his prior felony convictions for possession of a Schedule II substance in 1993, cocaine possession in 1996 and possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine in 1999. All convictions are in Catawba County.