WHITEVILLE, NC — A routine traffic checking station aimed at roadway safety led to a felony drug arrest after deputies seized methamphetamine during a stop in Whiteville late last month.
On August 31, 2026, deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office H.E.A.T. Team—a branch of the Special Operations Division—were operating a North Carolina Chapter 20 checkpoint at the intersection of Bladenboro Road and Silver Spoon Road.
Deputies stopped a Toyota RAV4 traveling toward James B. White Highway North after observing that the driver, Teresa Simko, was violating state seatbelt laws. After issuing Simko a citation, deputies received consent to search the vehicle.
During the search, officers discovered two plastic bags containing suspected methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Additional suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found concealed on the passenger, identified as 38-year-old Jonathan Wesley Jones of Nakina.
Deputies seized the narcotics and paraphernalia, and Jones was taken into custody and booked into the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center.
Jones faces the following charges:
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Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Methamphetamine (Felony)
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Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
Jones was placed under a $10,000 secured bond ahead of an upcoming court appearance. Driver Teresa Simko was cited for the seatbelt violation, though the release did not indicate additional charges against her.
Sheriff W. A. Rogers credited the checkpoint’s success to the vigilance of his Special Operations deputies.
“Our deputies conduct checking stations to enforce traffic laws and help keep our roads safe, but sometimes those encounters uncover much more,” Sheriff Rogers stated in Thursday’s release. “In this case, our H.E.A.T. Team Deputies were doing exactly what they are trained to do, and their efforts resulted in dangerous drugs being taken off our streets and an arrest being made.”
The Sheriff’s Office noted it plans to continue running proactive traffic checkpoints across Columbus County to enhance public safety and disrupt criminal activity.
All individuals named in this report are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.
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