The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office announced on August 8, 2025, members of the Narcotic/Vice Suppression Unit (NVSU) were contacted by road deputies, after discovering actively growing marijuana plants, after their arrival of responding to a shots fired call. The residence was in the 100 block of Hatteras Trail in Red Springs, NC. Detectives with the NVSU spoke, Ms. Jennifer Oxendine and Mr. DeMario McNeill, legal occupants of the residence, then obtained a search warrant for the house. 

During the search, detectives located additional marijuana, suspected ecstasy, items of paraphernalia used to process/sell/deliver controlled substances, and a sawed off 12- gauge shotgun. All the previously mentioned items were in the master bedroom where Ms. Oxendine and Mr. McNeill both had access to the items. Ms. Oxendine and Mr. McNeill were both placed under arrest and transported to the Hoke County Detention Center. Both subjects were charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, manufacture marijuana, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a schedule I-controlled substance, maintain a dwelling for the sell/delivery of controlled substances, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia (not for marijuana).

Both subjects were taken before the magistrate where they received first appearance court dates and bonds. Ms. Oxendine was held on a $10,000 secured bond and Mr. McNeill was held on no bond.