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Boone Police Arrest Heroin Dealer, Drugs a Common Theme in Recent Deaths of Young

The Boone Police Department has concluded an investigation into an importer of heroin into our community.  This investigation ended with the arrest of Charles Aerinn Poole. While investigating the recent deaths, Boone Police Investigators identified Charles Poole as a source for heroin and other narcotics to our college aged population.

POOLEThe Boone Police Department Narcotics Unit consists of three full-time officers designated solely to fighting the importation and manufacture of illegal drugs in Boone. This unit gathers and organizes intelligence about illegal drugs in Boone, makes undercover drug purchases, conducts surveillance of drug targets and conducts searches of those implicated in Boone’s drug trade. The entirety of this unit’s work is intended to interrupt the drug trade by identifying, arresting and convicting the people that cause illegal drugs to be available in Boone.

“Our community has suffered the loss of too many young people in the past year or so. Just as we try to heal from the tragedies of last fall, the recent deaths of more young people in our community is causing even more pain and sadness. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those we have lost,” said Boone Police Department Lieutenant Investigations Commander Chris Hatton.

While investigating these deaths, Boone Police Department Investigators have not found any evidence to suggest there was foul play; meaning signs of trauma or evidence of assault. Our Investigators have noticed a common theme with several of these deaths, illegal drugs. This sadly means that many of these deaths could have been avoided.

“The Boone Police Department does not take these deaths lightly. We immediately began investigating any possible connections between these deaths. Our Investigators have been working long hours and 6 to 7 days per week on this case,” Police Chief Dana Crawford.

As a result of the investigation, an individual selling several types of narcotics, including heroin, was identified. This individual was an associate of at least one of the recently deceased victims. This individual is Charles Poole. The Narcotics Unit began an investigation, which included infiltrating his customer base and making several purchases of controlled substances from Poole.  Poole sold agents of the Boone Police Department several different types of narcotics on five separate occasions.

***Note – The Boone Police Department has not charged Poole with selling or providing any narcotics to any of our recent victims.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Boone Police Officers conducted a traffic stop for speeding.  Poole was an occupant of the vehicle.  Boone Police narcotics detection K-9, Alex, alerted officers to the odor of a controlled substance inside the vehicle. A search was conducted and Poole was found to be in possession of approximately (2.5) grams of heroin. This amount of heroin has a street value of $1,500.

Poole was arrested and charged with the listed drug crimes. Poole was interviewed by narcotics investigators after his arrest. The investigation into Poole’s narcotics related associates, customers and suppliers is ongoing.

“Drugs are dangerous and our community is being deeply affected by the individuals that choose to import and distribute poison into our community.  We are asking for the public’s help. If you know narcotics related information, please share that information and help us keep our citizen’s safe.  You can give anonymous information through Crimestoppers (828) 268-6959 or you can submit a tip online at: www.highcountrycrimestoppers.com,” Crawford said.

Arrestee Information:

Charles Aerinn Poole – B/M, DOB 10-02-92 – 1552 West King Street, Apt# G, Boone, NC

  • Poole was arrested and charged with the following charges:
  • 5 Counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell & Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
  • 4 Counts of Felony Sell and Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
  • 1 Count of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The Boone Police Department is awaiting the toxicology reports from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for all of the recent death cases.  Each of these investigations will remain open until after a toxicology report is received for that particular case.

***Note – There has been a recent national epidemic with heroin laced with fentanyl causing serious health complications in different cities within the United States.  Boone Police Department Investigators do not believe this situation has played a role in our recent deaths in Boone.