Tip Leads to Multiple Arrest in Aurora by Deputies

Acting on a tip received by the Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, March 22, 2019, Beaufort County Sgt. Nathan Drake conducted a traffic stop on a blue Dodge Charger in Aurora.  During the stop, Drake located marijuana, cocaine, digital scales, plastic baggies and a loaded 9mm handgun. 

            The tip about the vehicle came to the Sheriff’s Office in Mid-March.  The tipster reported that occupants of the vehicle were seen pointing guns at people in the Aurora/ Edward areas of Beaufort County and were possibly involved in drug activity.  Earlier in day Cpl. Jim Mills spotted the car stationary at an apartment in Aurora and relayed this information to Sgt. Drake.  At about 2:30 pm, Drake spotted the car on Hwy 33 and conducted a traffic stop.  During the stop Drake could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the car.  A subsequent search of the car and the three occupants yielded around 70 grams of marijuana, about 1 gram of cocaine, a set of digital scales, plastic baggies, over $1,400.00 in cash and a loaded 9mm handgun with the serial number filed off. 

Based on the physical evidence and interviews of the 3 suspects the following charges were brought forth.  The driver, Paquon Shabrien Coffey, age 23 of Grimesland was charged with one count each of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number, Possession of Cocaine, Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Marijuana and Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Keeping or Selling a Controlled Substance.  Patrick Obrien Coffey Jr, age 20 of Grimesland and Akeim Raquon McCray, age 23 of Smithfield were charged with one count each of Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number, Possession With Intent to Manufacture Sell or Deliver Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Paquon Coffey was ordered held on a $36,500.00 secured bond, while both Patrick Coffey Jr, and Akeim McCray were each ordered held on a $15,000.00 secured bond.