Man Faces Drug Trafficking Charges

On April 28, 2010, a suspect out on bond for a charge of Trafficking in Opiates was arrested in Lenoir during a joint undercover operation between the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office ICE Unit, State Bureau of Investigation and Lenoir Police Department.  Mark Paul Schiller, age 34, was taken into custody without incident when he showed up at a pre-arranged meeting location with 200 dosage units of Oxycodone and met with an undercover officer.  Schiller, who was charged on September 28, 2009, by the NC State Bureau of Investigation for trafficking opiates by possession, faces numerous related charges stemming from two recent undercover officer buys of Oxycodone and the April 28^th arrest.  

During the operation, a total of 275 dosage units of Oxycodone, a schedule II controlled substance, had been purchased from Schiller.  Oxycodone is an opiate derivative, which by statute, if a person possesses over four grams of opium or a mixture containing opium, is guilty of trafficking offenses in the drug.  Following Schiller’s arrest, undercover agents with the Lenoir Police Department executed a search warrant at his home.  Found during the search was 23 Endocet and 22 Oxycodone pills, a Ruger .22 caliber pistol, and items of drug paraphernalia.  As a result, Jennifer Selena Steele, age 35, was arrested and charged with felony trafficking in opiates; maintain a dwelling to keep/store a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.         

The drugs seized have a street value of over $6,000 according to NC State guidelines.  Agents also seized a 1994 Ford Explorer, a 1995 Ford Aerostar Van, and a little over $1,000 in US currency.

“Selling prescription pills is a costly business when you get caught.  This guy is a repeat offender and is now looking at years in prison.  This is a growing epidemic and we are continuously addressing the problem”. – Sheriff Alan C. Jones

The following persons were arrested and charged with the listed crimes:

Mark Paul Schiller, W/M, age 34
2469 Clearfield Place
Lenoir, NC 28645

•  Six (6) Counts – Felonious Trafficking in Opiates.

• One (1) Count – Felonious Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Oxycodone.

• One (1) Count – Felonious Sell/Deliver Oxycodone.

• One (1) Count – Felonious Maintain a Vehicle to Keep/Store a Controlled Substance.

Schiller was incarcerated under a $150,000 secured bond in the Caldwell County Detention Center and has a first appearance in District Court in Lenoir on April 29, 2010.

Jennifer Selena Steele, W/F, age 35
2469 Clearfield Place
Lenoir, NC 28645

•  One (1) Count – Felonious Trafficking in Opiates.

• One (1) Count – Felonious Maintain a Dwelling to Keep/Store a Controlled Substance.

• One (1) Count – Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

 Steele was incarcerated under a $75,000 secured bond in the Caldwell County Detention Center and has a first appearance in District Court in Lenoir on April 29, 2010.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances.  A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential.  If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

This site was last updated 04/29/10