Armed Methamphetamine Traffickers Appear In Federal Court On Drug And Gun Charges (DOJ)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jonathan Grant Fox, 44, and his daughter, Nevaeh Elizabeth Fox, 19, both of Hickory, appeared in federal court yesterday on drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jonathan and Nevaeh Fox are each charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Jonathan Fox is also charged with trafficking in firearms.

U.S. Attorney Ferguson is joined in making today's announcement by Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Bryan Adams of the Hickory Police Department.

According to allegations in the indictment, Jonathan and Nevaeh Fox conspired with each other and other individuals to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine in and around Catawba County. The indictment further alleges that Jonathan and Nevaeh Fox did knowingly possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes. It is also alleged that Jonathan Fox, in August 2025, did engage in the trafficking of nine firearms:

• Springfield, model XD, 9mm pistol
• Glock, model 19M, 9mm pistol
• Glock, model 11, .40 caliber pistol
• Bersa, model Thunder380, .380 caliber pistol
• Mossberg, model 500 tactical 12-guage shotgun
• Romarm Draco 9S, 9mm pistol
• Sig Sauer, model P320C, 9mm pistol
• Rock Island Armory, model 1911A1, .45 caliber pistol
• Hi-Point, model 1095TS, 10mm rifle

The defendants were arrested on December 16, 2025. While executing the arrest warrants, law enforcement seized additional fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, 18 firearms, and $11,139 in U.S. Currency.

The defendants are in federal custody. If convicted, they face up to a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the ultimate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The charges against the defendants are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF and the Hickory Police Department for their investigative efforts and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, the Catawba Count Sheriff's Office, the Newton Police Department, the Maiden Police Department, and the Burke County Sheriff's Office for their invaluable assistance in this case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman is prosecuting the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.