ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department arrested three in West Asheville this week on drug and gun charges, including fentanyl trafficking.
Around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, APD officers encountered Jami Marie Lee Tressler, 32, who was in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine and a large sum of cash. Subsequent investigation led officers to a Michigan Avenue residence Tressler was spotted leaving, where Irvin Franklin Freeman, 55, and Kara Nicole Ervin, 28, were also charged and taken into custody. During a search of the residence, officers discovered four firearms, one of which was reported stolen, and more drugs.
Seized contraband
- Taurus .357 Magnum
- Palmetto Dagger (reported stolen)
- Glock 43X
- Taurus G3C
- 53.14g of fentanyl
- 27.66g of marijuana
- 6.83g of methamphetamine
- $5,016 in US currency
Charges filed
Tressler was charged with:
- Three felony counts of Possession Schedule II
- One felony count of Level III Trafficking of Fentanyl by Possession
- One felony count of Possession With Intent to Manufacture Sell Deliver Fentanyl
- One count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- One count of Simple Possession Schedule VI
- One count of Simple Possession Schedule II
Tressler was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $250,000 secured bond issued by a magistrate.
Freeman was charged with:
- One felony count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm
- One felony count of Possession of Firearm by Felon
- One count of Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances
Freeman was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond by a magistrate.
Ervin was charged with:
- One count of Possession of Schedule II
- One count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Ervin was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility and released after posting bond.
If you have any information about illegal drug or gun activity, you are encouraged to contact APD at (828) 252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application or by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411.
