Staff Writer

Sheriff's deputies seized counterfeit recordings and more than $2,000 in cash and drugs while arresting a Union man, his roommate and the roommate's companion.

Michael Todd Smith, 27, of 331 Bird St. was charged Friday with distribution of marijuana and two counts of illegal distribution of recordings.

Jamie Eugene Price, 27, of the same address was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of methadone and driving under suspension. Price also has an address on 206 Pine St.

Heather Anne Carvalho, 26, of 100 Fairforest Road, Columbia, was charged by the sheriff's office with possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule 3 narcotic and possession of a Schedule 4 narcotic.

A sheriff's office report said Lt. John Sherfield and Lt. David Kitchens provided $20 to an operative who went to Smith's home and purchased marijuana.

The next day, deputies provided money to an operative who went to Smith's residence and purchased a music CD and two DVDs that were counterfeit.

Friday, these officers, along with State Constable Billy Bennett and Deputy Roger Hill returmed to Smith's residence with a search warrant. They seized digital scales, counterfeit compact discs, counterfeit DVDs and other items.

While officers were in the area Friday, they spotted Price driving a Pontiac Bonneville. They knew he had no license, so they stopped his car. Hill saw Price putting something in his pocket. Officers found a bag in Price's pants that contained four Lortabs. Price was arrested.

Officers searched Price's car and inside the trunk they found four bags of marijuana, a bottle of Methadone, 127 Lortabs in a bag with $66, a pill bottle containing 5 1/2 Lortabs and $1,000 in cash. Near the driver's seat, officers found $955 in cash.

After Price's arrest, officers noticed that he was receiving text messages from “Heather” wanting to know where he was. Sherfield began sending text messages back to her, telling her that “the police are after me,” and asking her to meet him at the car wash in Monarch. In a few minutes Ms. Carvalho sent a message back that she was in the stall next to the automatic washer.

Sherfield and Hill pulled in behind a 2004 Pontiac with a paper tag.

The officers spoke with Ms. Carvalho - the only occupant of the car - and she admitted she was there to pick up Price. Sherfield asked for and received consent to check the vehicle and belongings. He found a small bag of marijuana in Ms. Carvalho's purse. She was arrested. She handed Hill a cloth bag which contained an assortment of pills believed to be Hydrocodone, aprazolam and Clonezepam.

Smith, Price and Ms. Carvalho were released on bond from the Union County Jail. Ms. Carvalho's bond was $10,000 surety. The bonds of Smith and Price were not available.