A ninth suspect in connection with a Godwin-based alternative religious organization surrendered Friday evening to law enforcement officers, according to magistrate's records.
Daffene Moss Edge, 55, of the 5900 block of McCollum Lane, Godwin, became the latest suspect to turn herself into the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
She was charged with continuing criminal enterprise.
Bail was set at $50,000.
Lieutenant Sean Swain, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, did not immediately return phone messages or an email on Saturday requesting details.
According to authorities, a total of 10 people were wanted for crimes at a property commonly referred to as McCollum Ranch.
The suspects were being sought for their involvement with the group that allegedly had forced children to work for little or no money at several Fayetteville area fish markets.
The latest arrest leaves only Earlene Hayat not in custody.
Earlier Friday, Irish Williams, Kassia Rogers, Shirmitka McNatt, and her mother, Shirley McNatt, surrendered to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say they are followers of John C. McCollum, 67, who claimed to be the chief apostle of a religious organization he was operating as early as the 1980s.
McCollum was arrested in December on similar charges.
First-appearance hearings were held Friday afternoon for the four suspects who voluntarily surrendered to the Sheriff's Office. Each faces charges involving child abuse, operating a continuing criminal enterprise, involuntary servitude involving a child, and conspiracy and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Bail was set for the women at the time of their arrest, Swain said, but all bonds were raised at their court appearances at the Cumberland County Detention Center. Bail now stands at $350,000 for Shirley McNatt, $325,000 each for Rogers and Williams, and $70,000 for Shirmitka McNatt.
The four women lived on McCollum Ranch at 5953 McCollum Road. The property is adjacent to Interstate 95
On Wednesday, four suspects were arrested in the case: McCollum, Cornelia McDonald, Brenda Hall and Pamela Puga Luna.
The Sheriff’s Office said the communal property profited from McCollum and others operating at least three John C’s Fish Markets and mobile grills in Fayetteville, and a John C’s Fish Market in Lumberton. Former residents said McCollum and others held children between the ages of 9 and 17 "in involuntary servitude," a news release said.
The Sheriff’s Office was alerted March 2 of last year by the Raleigh Police Department of a reported fraud involving high school transcripts at Wake Technical Community College. Raleigh police said it was perpetrated by members of the ranch and involved children at the ranch.
In August, Fayetteville police were told a 15-year-old ran away from the ranch and was gone three weeks before being reported missing by his mother. The teen was located off Rosehill Road and told investigators about the ranch. Investigators determined children were held “in involuntary servitude by means of force fraud, or coercion, for profiting and funding the McCollum Ranch.”
Anyone with information on Earlene Hyatt's whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 323-1500 or Crimestoppers at 483-TIPS (8477).
Staff writer Michael Futch can be reached at mfutch@fayobserver.com or 486-3529.