Earlier this week, Union County Sheriff’s Office detectives assigned to the Narcotics
Eradication Team (NET), conducted another successful interdiction operation resulting in
the arrest of two narcotics traffickers. During the operation, 18-year-old Sophia Keller and
her boyfriend, 20-year-old, convicted felon, John Jemisonmagno (aka John Magno) were
arrested at a shopping center in the Weddington area.

The extensive investigation into Jemisonmagno and Keller began after UCSO NET
investigators learned that Keller and Jemisonmagno were actively selling illegally street
pressed pills containing fentanyl to juveniles in the Union County area. As a direct result
of Keller and Jemisonmagno’s narcotic sales, UCSO deputies along with other local first
responders, have been dispatched to at least one nearly fatal overdose within Union County.
During this overdose, first responders administered multiple doses of Narcan in order to
save the life of the juvenile who consumed the deadly narcotic. The juvenile received
additional medical assistance and is recovering at this time.

In order to prevent further harm to our community, a UCSO NET investigator acting in an
undercover capacity met with Jemisonmagno and Keller at a shopping center area in the
Weddington area. As the interaction began, other UCSO NET investigators converged on
the suspect’s vehicle and found Jemisonmagno in possession of a loaded, stolen firearm
along with a ski mask. Jemisonmagno and Keller were taken into custody without issue
after surrendering to investigators on scene. A search of the offenders and their vehicle led
to the seizure of various narcotics, to include cocaine, a trafficking quantity of fentanyl,
and the stolen firearm. During the arrests and subsequent investigation, UCSO
investigators learned that the suspects in this case had formulated a plan to rob their
potential buyer (undercover investigator) using the stolen firearm prior to the actual
meeting.

Both Keller and Jemisonmagno were transported to the Union County Jail where they were
charged with the following criminal offenses:

Sophia Keller’s Offenses:
Felony Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place CS
Felony Trafficking in Opium/Heroin (two counts)
Felony PWIMSD SCH II CS
Simple Possession SCH II CS
Felony Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with Dangerous Weapon

John Jemisonmagno’s Offenses:
Felony Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place CS
Felony Trafficking in Opium/Heroin (two counts)
Felony Possession of Firearm by Felon
Felony Possession of Stolen Firearm
Felony PWIMSD Cocaine
Felony Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with Dangerous Weapon

John Jemisonmagno was taken before a local judicial official and was placed under a
secured $750,000.00 bond. Sophia Keller was also taken before a local judicial official and
placed under a secured $450,00.00 bond. Both offenders remain in the Union County Jail
at this time.

Point of contact for this press release is Lt. James Maye, (704)506-6843