Yesterday evening, members of the Sheriff’s High-Risk Enforcement, Location, and Detection (S.H.I.E.L.D.) Unit and our Narcotics Eradication Team (N.E.T.) conducted a traffic stop that led to the arrests of three men during another proactive interdiction operation. Deputies/detectives stopped the vehicle on U.S. 74 shortly after it entered Union County due to a regulatory motor vehicle violation.

During the stop, K-9 “Cody” was utilized and alerted to the presence of narcotics within the car. A subsequent search by investigating personnel yielded the discovery and seizure of a large quantity of firearms and narcotics. Evidence seized included a trafficking quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine, and multiple firearms, including an AR-15 and AK-47 type rifle. Investigators also located an illegal machinegun conversion device (MCD) within the vehicle, which was designed to turn the semi-automatic AR-15 rifle into a fully automatic weapon.

Three defendants, 22-year-old Ashton Lemus, 24-year-old Axel Guerrero-Mejia, and 21-year-old Maicol Vasquez-Atunez, who all live in the Charlotte area, were taken into custody at the scene. Investigators also determined that one of the defendants, Ashton Lemus, was previously convicted of a felony armed robbery offense in Mecklenburg County in 2021 and had been placed on supervised probation as a result of the conviction. All three defendants were transported to the Union County Detention Center where they are currently being held on the charges and conditions listed below.

Sheriff Eddie Cathey adds, “Proactive law enforcement investigations are vital to maintaining our communities' overall safety and security. The investigation leading to these arrests began as a traffic stop. It resulted in the seizure of a trafficking amount of harmful narcotics and several dangerous weapons along with an illegal weapon modification. My hope is that Union County’s residents will continue to rest safely at night knowing that our personnel remain vigilant and are dedicated to seeking out and preventing dangerous offenders from causing harm in our area.”

𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐮𝐬

-Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction

-Trafficking in Methamphetamine (2 counts)

-Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Methamphetamine (2 counts)

-Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver (PWISD) Cocaine

-Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances

-Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Custody Status:

-Held under a secured bond of $500,000

-Also being held under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Detainer

𝐀𝐱𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐨-𝐌𝐞𝐣𝐢𝐚 (𝟐𝟒 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝)

-Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction

-Trafficking in Methamphetamine (2 counts)

-Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Methamphetamine (2 counts)

-Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver (PWISD) Cocaine

-Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances

-Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Custody Status:

-Held under a secured bond of $500,000

-Also being held under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Detainer

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐳-𝐀𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐳 (𝟐𝟏 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝)

-Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction

-Trafficking in Methamphetamine (2 counts)

-Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Methamphetamine (2 counts)

-Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver (PWISD) Cocaine

-Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances

-Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Custody Status:

-Held under a secured bond of $500,000

-Also being held under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Detainer