Four individuals from South Carolina were taken into custody after an incident on Easter Sunday at the Ingles store on Barber Boulevard in Waynesville led to the discovery of counterfeit currency and illegal drugs.
The investigation began just before 9 a.m. when a customer attempted to use a counterfeit $100 bill at the Ingles location. Store employees identified the bill as fraudulent and contacted law enforcement.
Shortly after receiving the call, officers located and stopped a U-Haul truck associated with the group. A K-9 unit alerted on the vehicle, prompting a search. During the search, officers discovered suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, 25 counterfeit $100 bills, and equipment believed to be used for manufacturing counterfeit currency.
Authorities believe the suspects were traveling with the intent to pass counterfeit $100 bills in exchange for legitimate currency.
The individuals arrested were identified as Jessie Hyatt Nittel, 44, of Spartanburg; Brandon Michael Bolding, 32, of Boiling Springs; Joshua Ray Mabry, 40, of Spartanburg; and Laura Wilkerson Clark, 49, of Pacolet. Each faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession of five or more counterfeit instruments, forgery of an instrument, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Additionally, Bolding, Mabry, and Clark are charged with conspiracy to traffic opium or heroin, while Nittel faces a charge of trafficking opium or heroin. Other drug-related charges have also been filed against the group.
All four are currently being held at the Haywood County Detention Center. Nittel’s bond was set at $75,000, while Bolding, Mabry, and Clark each have bonds set at $40,000
