In early July 2023, the Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Task Force and Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office began receiving citizen complaints about the narcotics distribution activities of Joshua Waters and Johnathan Frizzelle.

Through communication between the two agencies, it was determined Waters and Frizzelle were utilizing a residence near the Wayne/Lenoir county line to distribute crystal methamphetamine. It was also quickly revealed Waters and Frizzelle were heavily affecting the drug trade in both jurisdictions.

Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Task Force Officers and Lenoir Narcotics investigators initiated a joint investigation. On July 22, the investigative efforts led to a traffic stop on Highway 55 near Mount Olive. Waters and Frizzelle were confirmed as passengers of the vehicle. Law enforcement seized five ounces of crystal methamphetamine and a loaded handgun during the traffic stop.

Frizzelle fled the traffic stop, but was located and arrested soon thereafter.

Both suspects were arrested and Waters was charged with two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Frizzelle was charged with one count of trafficking in methamphetamine, one count of resisting a public officer, and an out-of-state Governor’s warrant.