Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office posted the following on their Facebook page:

On June 3, 2022, Gary Octavious WILLIS of Seven Springs, North Carolina was arrested, pursuant to a narcotics investigation conducted by the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit.

During the investigation Detectives made controlled purchases and executed a search warrant at WILLIS' residence located at 6076 Davis Hardy Rd Seven Springs, North Carolina. Pursuant to a search of WILLIS' residence, Detectives located approximately five ounces of crystal methamphetamine and a Ruger .9mm handgun. Detectives also located drug paraphernalia items that indicated the controlled substances were being distributed from the residence. During this investigation Detectives seized a total of eleven ounces of crystal methamphetamine from WILLIS.

As a result of this investigation, WILLIS was charged with multiple state drug charges to include: three counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Dwelling for Keep and Sale of Controlled Substances and Possession of a Firearm by Felon.

WILLIS was currently on probation for a previous felony conviction, therefore additional probation violation charges were issued as well. Officers with the North Carolina Probation and Parole Office assisted with this investigation.

WILLIS was given a total secured bond of $500,000.00 for the drug charges and placed in the W.E. Billy Smith Detention Facility. WILLIS also received an additional $60,000.00 secured bond for the probation violation.