Officers conducted a warrantless probation search of hill’s residence on July 22, 2018, on Middle Drive in Franklin. As probation officers began their search they observed Hill walk around the side of his bed in his bedroom and grab a clear plastic baggie and throw it into the top drawer of his dresser. The bag Hill was attempting to conceal as well as another bag found in close proximity contained a combined weight of over 36 grams of methamphetamine. 

Hill also pled guilty to felony maintaining a dwelling for the keeping and selling of controlled substances as well as having attained habitual felon status.

Superior Court Judge Athena Brooks handed down a total sentence of 95 months minimum (7.9 years) to 135 months maximum (11.25 years) and also imposed a fine of $50,000.

Bates DeHart’s convictions came as the result of two undercover controlled purchases of methamphetamine one in December 2017 and another in January 2018. A combined weight of over 47 grams of methamphetamine was purchased.

Bates DeHart also pled guilty to methamphetamine possession with the intent to sell and deliver that substance. Brooks imposed a total sentence of 78 months minimum (6.5 years) to 112 months maximum (9.3 years) and also imposed a fine of $50,000.

“The District Attorney’s Office places the highest priority on protecting our community from the plague and poison that is methamphetamine. I commend all the law enforcement professionals who worked on these cases with the Macon County Sheriff’s Department and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation and Parole Division for a job well done,” said District Attorney Ashley Welch.