Orange County man charged with supplying drugs for 15-year-old to sell

Deputies said Joshua Hilliard was supplying drugs to the teenager and was caught in a drug operation near an elementary school.

Deputies said they were tipped off to possible drug activity after a rumor started at Cedar Ridge High School saying a student was distributing drugs at the school.

That information turned out to be false, but helped lead authorities to Hilliard, who was allegedly supplying drugs for the teen to sell.

Hilliard was arrested near Northside Elementary School in Chapel Hill. Authorities seized seven ounces of marijuana during the bust.

Hilliard is charged with selling a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school, selling to a minor, and hiring a minor to sell a controlled substance.

David Kaufman is a dad of two young sons who both attend Northside Elementary School. He said, for now, he is only slightly concerned by the incident.

“If they were busting people every other day here, we would certainly be worried about it,” he said. “If it happened once, we’re not shocked and we’re not terribly, terribly concerned about it.”

Since the 15-year-old is a minor, his case will be handled through the juvenile justice division. He faces several charges including selling or delivering marijuana and selling within 1000 feet of a school.

Hilliard was being held at the Orange County Detention Center under $30,000 bond.