On September 9, 2022, a Randolph County Sheriff’s Deputy encountered two suspicious vehicles on Lantern Drive while patrolling the area. The deputy made contact with the subjects in both vehicles due to the suspicious behavior observed. Additional deputies arrived on scene to assist with the investigation.
The driver of the first vehicle was identified as Robert Norman Yates; the passenger was identified as Rona Lee Brown. Brown advised she was meeting the secondary vehicle to exchange some items. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and US currency were located.
Both subjects were placed under arrest and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where the magistrate found probable cause for the following charges against Brown: Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Delivery of Methamphetamine, Felony Maintain Vehicle for Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession Drug Paraphernalia and issued a $25,000 secured bond. Yates was then taken before the magistrate who found probable cause for Felony Maintain Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Felony Uttering Forged Instrument, Misdemeanor Possession Marijuana up to ½ oz., and Misdemeanor Possession Drug Paraphernalia and issued a $5,000 secured bond. Both subjects were issued a first appearance for September 9, 2022, in Randolph County District Court.
During the investigation, the passenger in the second vehicle was identified as April Lynn Ratcliff of Haw River, who had two outstanding orders for arrest out of Alamance County for Failure to Appear (one on a felony and one on a misdemeanor). She was also arrested and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where the magistrate issued a $19,500 total secured bond and set a first appearance for September 19, 2022, in Alamance County District Court.
Name of Defendants:
Rona Lee Brown Robert Norman Yates April Lynn Ratcliff
Age: 43 Age: 34 Age: 39