An Enfield man released from federal custody last June was among four people charged following a drug bust Thursday evening.

Antonio “Yay-Yo” Nicholson was released on June 15, 2018, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records.

He had been sentenced to 270 months of federal custody in April of 2008, documents filed in the court record show and was to serve five years of supervised release upon the completion of his incarceration.

In February of 2007 he was indicted for knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully combining and conspiring with other persons to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, according to the original indictment contained in electronic court records.

Captain A.M. Harris of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said this afternoon his federal probation officer has started the process to revoke Nicholson’s release after receiving information of the bust in the Enfield area of Highway 48 shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday.

It was complaints based on the former federal inmate selling drugs which launched an investigation by Agent D.J. Epperson, Harris said in a statement.

The narcotics, civil and patrol divisions of the sheriff’s office executed the search warrant based on Epperson’s investigation.

Two individuals ran from the back of the residence into a wooded area.

One was later captured with the assistance of a motorist traveling through the area and another surrendered to the sheriff's office while agents were processing the others.

During the search of the residence agents located and seized cocaine, approximately 198 grams of marijuana, a handgun and several items of drug paraphernalia.

Nicholson, 37, of the residence, was charged not only on counts related to the search warrant but on warrants Epperson obtained when Nicholson reportedly sold cocaine during a controlled buy on June 19.

The charges against him following the search warrant are felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance, felony possession of marijuana and possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana

The charges against him from the controlled buy are possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, deliver cocaine and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

Nicholson received a $100,000 bond and July 17 court date.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety records show Nicholson was convicted in Halifax County in March of 2005 for indecent liberties with a child and possession of stolen goods.

He was also arrested in 2009 during Operation Burnout, which was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case of numerous drug traffickers in and around Halifax and Nash counties.

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Others arrested in the wake of the search warrant execution are:

Tyler Lynch, 28, of Warrenton, for felony possession of cocaine, possess less than one-half ounce of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. He received an $8,000 bond.

Rakim Taylor, 27, of Pleasant Hill, for felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and resisting a public officer. He received a $5,000 bond.

Dustin Williams, 35, of the residence, for felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

He received a $10,000 bond.

The other three charged also have July 17 court dates.

“Agents commend the Halifax County Sheriff's Office Civil Division for sharing information to make this investigation successful. It was a great team effort,” Harris said in the statement.

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected drug activity by calling the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division at 252-535-1257, Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or log on to www.halifaxsheriff.com and click on submit a tip.