Illegal drug operation uncovered during multi-county murder investigation in North Carolina

VALE, N.C. (WBTV) - An illegal drug operation was discovered during a multi-county murder investigation in North Carolina this week.

The investigation began the night of Tuesday, June 9, when Rusty Johnson was fatally shot at a house on Dansbury Lane in the Catawba County part of Vale.

The man accused of killing Johnson -- 39-year-old Thomas Christopher Banks -- was later found on Lingerfelt Road in the Lincoln County part of Vale. The two homes are about 10 minutes apart.

After Banks was arrested, authorities obtained search warrants for a house on Lingerfelt Road.

During that search on Wednesday, June 10, law enforcement found a psilocybin -- or mushroom -- grow operation in a closet.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said investigators found several bags of methamphetamine, marijuana and psilocybin packaged for sale, as well as guns and drug paraphernalia.

The sheriff’s office said items related to Johnson’s death were also found and seized from the home.

Following the discoveries, 38-year-old Joshua Donald Burns was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

• Manufacturing psilocybin
• Possession with intent to distribute psilocybin
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Burns was taken to the Lincoln County jail and appeared in court on Friday, June 12.

Court records showed Burns’ bond remained at $100,000, and he was appointed a public defender.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said more arrests were expected.

As for Banks, he was jailed in Catawba County, where he will face the charge related to Johnson’s death. Jail records showed he was being held only on a murder charge.

Also Read: Man wanted in connection with deadly Catawba County shooting arrested in Lincoln County