State Fair workers arrested on drug, weapons charges

Two brothers who were working this week at the North Carolina State Fair were arrested Friday on drug charges, and one also faces weapons charges, according to arrest warrants.

Cedric Bernard Jeffrey, 48, of Chesapeake, Va., and Brent Timothy Jeffrey, 51, of New York, were each charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver MDMA, possession with intent to sell and deliver controlled substances, possession with intent to sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle for the sale of controlled substances.

According to arrest warrants, Wake County deputies found a gram of marijuana, 12 units of Ecstasy, 24 Ambien pills, seven tramadol pills – a potent painkiller – two Valium pills, 87 grams of a white powder resembling heroin in glass vials, rolling papers, smoking pipes, two digital scales and plastic baggies in the brothers' 1999 Honda Odyssey minivan.

Deputies also took a .44-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver from Brent Jeffery, according to warrants. He was charged with carrying a concealed gun and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Court documents state that the brothers work fairs along the East Coast and that Cedric Jeffrey was found with multiple fake IDs, credit cards and welfare cards. Meanwhile, Brent Jeffrey has multiple felony convictions in several states, court documents show.

Marc Janas, a spokesman for Powers Great American Midway, which operates the State Fair, said the brothers worked for a subcontractor and that all fair employees undergo a background check. He couldn't explain why the Brent Jeffrey's criminal record wasn't flagged.

"Normally, it would. Apparently, it did not for some reason in the process," Janas said.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison has a large number of his deputies providing security at the State Fair, including some undercover, and other agencies also help with security. He said they are dedicated to keeping things fun for everyone.

"We put 100 people out here to be seen, and it really pays off. But you are going to have some hiccups," Harrison said.

Powers Great American works with law enforcement to keep the fair safe, Janas said.

"Whatever they ask us to do, we always do it. We leave it in their hands," he said. "If we see something out of place, or if we find something out, we notify them and work hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies."

So far at this year's fair, 17 people have been arrested, and authorities have responded to more than 60 incidents, Harrison said. Given that about 600 people work at the fair and thousands of people visit it every day, he said this year has been a good one from a security standpoint.

Samantha Corbett, who was attending the State Fair for the first time on Friday, said she's usually nervous in big crowds. But the large law enforcement presence made her feel better, she said.

"We were seeing them periodically as we walked around, so I'm secure being here," Corbett said.

Cedric Jeffrey was being held in the Wake County jail under a $50,000 bond, while Brent Jeffrey was being held under a $90,000 bond.