Xcapades NC Drug Bust

11 arrested on drug charges after Xcapades raid Clarke Morrison October 11, 2013

Asheville — Authorities say they arrested 11 people following a yearlong investigation into illegal drug sales at Xcapades nightclub in West Asheville.

Arrest and search warrants were served at the club on Leicester Highway and at residences connected to the business Thursday night, according to N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, the lead agency in the case.

Charges include trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in opium, sale of marijuana and conspiracy. ALE said drugs and a firearm were seized.

"Numerous investigative hours were spent on this case and we appreciate the help of our local and federal partners," said John Pace, assistant agent in charge of ALE's Asheville office. "ALE's community betterment initiative is working to reduce the number of violent offenses caused by drug transactions and weapons violations such as in this case."

Asheville police first notified ALE that drugs were being sold at Club Xcapades, Pace said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted in the investigation.

The nightclub holds Alcoholic Beverage Control permits. ALE's primary responsibility is enforcement of alcohol and drug laws. The N.C. Highway Patrol and state Department of Revenue helped with serving warrants and drug seizures.

According to warrants filed this morning at the Buncombe County Magistrate's Office, the following people were charged:

Ruslan Vasilyevich Klimovich, 21, of Parkview Drive, Asheville, charged with four counts of trafficking in cocaine, two counts of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, two counts of trafficking in opium. Bond set at $200,000.

Rhonda Davis Lemons, 49, of Parkview Drive, Asheville, charged two counts of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, two counts of trafficking in opium, conspiracy to traffic in opium. Bond set at $125,000.

Rianda Kishon Akins, 23, of Henrietta Street, Asheville, charged with selling marijuana, trafficking in opium, selling a controlled substance (oxycodone). Bond set at $75,000.

Timothy Don Anderson, 45, of White Pine Drive, Asheville, charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana. Bond set at $50,000.

Robert Douglas Brooks II, 31, of Henrietta Street, Asheville, charged with conspiracy to sell a controlled substance (oxycodone), conspiracy to sell marijuana. Bond set at $50,000.

Richard Ron Jiles, 33, of Smart Road, Asheville, charged with two counts of trafficking in opium. Bond set at $50,000.

Robert Shane Lanter, 36, of Wilson Avenue, Swannanoa, charged with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine. Bond set at $25,000.

Jesse William Lemons IV, 27, of Parkview Drive, Asheville, charged with trafficking in opium and maintaining a building for drugs. Bond set at $50,000.

Brittney Renee Rittenberry, 24, of Smart Road, Asheville, charged with conspiracy to traffic in opium, two counts of trafficking in opium. Bond was set at $75,000.

Charles Newton Simmons IV, 30, of Shadowlawn Drive, Asheville, charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine. Bond was set at $50,000.

ALE said another person, Erica Calvert, 23, of Fairview, also was arrested. Her charges weren't immediately available.

Arrest warrants state that Jiles, Rhonda Lemons and Jesse Lemons are employees of Xcapades.