news-record.com

STALEY — Seven people face charges after Randolph County authorities broke up a marijuana-growing operation.

The Randolph County sheriff's office said an undercover operation that ended Friday yielded 14.25 pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, an undisclosed amount of cash, four firearms and two vehicles. The marijuana is worth about $56,000.

The sheriff's office said the items came from searches of three homes in the county. The Liberty and High Point police departments and the State Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation.

The seven people charged are:

* William Randy Burgess, 61, of 5638 William Burgess Road in Ramseur. He was charged with five counts of trafficking in marijuana and three counts of conspiring to traffic in marijuana. His bond is $50,000. The sheriff's office said Burgess owns Burgess Hauling and is a cattle farmer in the Ramseur area.

* William Ray Burgess, 41, of 1462 Lee Layne Road in Ramseur. He was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance. His bond is $25,000. He is the son of William Randy Burgess.

* Paula Phillips Burgess, 40, of 1462 Lee Layne Road in Ramseur. She was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and sell/give a handgun to a minor. Her bond is $25,000.

* William Michael Burgess, 21, of 1462 Lee Layne Road in Ramseur. He was charged with possession of a Schedule VI narcotic and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond is $1,500.

* Shauna Nicole Burgess, 17, of 1462 Lee Layne Road in Ramseur. She was charged with possession of a handgun by a minor. Her bond is $1,000.

* Michael Dwight Hicks, 40, of 7285 Ferguson Road in Liberty. He was charged with three counts of trafficking in marijuana and three counts of conspiring to traffic in marijuana. His bond is $50,000.

* Junior Calvin Saunders II, 46, of 7088 Meadowbranch Road in Seagrove. He was cited for possession up to half an ounce of marijuana.