Eastern District of North Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Kilogram Distributor of Methamphetamine receives 121 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Edward Collins, 22, of Briscoe, North Carolina, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for drug trafficking. On April 12, 2023, Collins pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on May 14, 2022, Duplin County Narcotics detectives were aware that Collins was delivering a large amount of methamphetamine to a residence in Mt. Olive, North Carolina. When Collins arrived at the residence, detectives approached the car and Collins attempted to flee, but law enforcement was able to prevent Collins from leaving. Law enforcement found 848 grams of pure methamphetamine in the car. During the course of the investigation, investigators uncovered that Collins had been involved in the distribution of at least 10 kilograms of methamphetamine between April 2021 and the time of his arrest.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security and the Duplin and Sampson County Sheriff’s’ Offices investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-00097-M-BM-2.
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Violent Fayetteville Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 35 yearsRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Fayetteville man was sentenced today to 420 months in prison for his role as the leader of a violent fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin trafficking organization. On January 11, 2023, Naji Michael Johnson, age 45, pled guilty to fentanyl conspiracy and fentanyl distribution charges.
“Naji Johnson used guns, violence, and intimidation to advance his drug trafficking enterprise in Fayetteville for 15 years, pushing kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Today, the community saw justice done. Drug traffickers should see this 35 year sentence as a warning. Partnerships between local and federal law enforcement are stronger than ever, and we are determined to keep North Carolina safe. Our friends, neighbors, and families deserve no less.”
"The sentencing of Naji Johnson supports the Fayetteville Police Department's commitment and goal of keeping the City of Fayetteville safe and secure,” said Fayetteville Police Chief Kem Braden. “Naji Johnson was a career criminal responsible for numerous violent crimes in our community. The Fayetteville Police Department appreciates the hard work of the Federal, State, and local agencies responsible for removing a violent, career criminal from our community. The sentencing of Naji Johnson sends a clear message to other would-be criminals that violence within our City will not be tolerated."
“There is often a direct link between those trafficking drugs into our communities and those committing violent crimes,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Disrupting these dangerous drug trafficking networks has an immediate and significant role in decreasing violent gun crime.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, various law enforcement agencies in the Fayetteville area have received statements from individuals throughout the last decade indicating that Johnson was a kilogram level supplier of cocaine, crack, heroin, and fentanyl in Cumberland County. Information compiled throughout the investigation revealed that between late 2018 and his federal arrest in August 2022, Johnson was responsible for distributing over 19,000 grams of fentanyl, which is enough fentanyl to create over 950,000 doses.
The investigation also revealed that Johnson utilized firearms and violence to maintain his position at the top of the Fayetteville drug trafficking hierarchy. Investigators received numerous accounts indicating that Johnson routinely robbed other area drug dealers. Investigators also received statements indicating that Johnson was involved in multiple murders stemming from drug trafficking activity, and that Johnson kidnapped another drug dealer to collect drugs and drug proceeds as ransom. Johnson also possessed a firearm during two separate controlled purchases of fentanyl that were conducted in 2022 as part of the investigation.
The investigation into Johnson was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Webb prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00195-FL-1 .
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Money Mule Sentenced for Laundering $2,886,578Read the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Concord man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release, $10,822 restitution, and $100,000 forfeiture for one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft. On April 11, 2023, Derrick Donahue Davis pled guilty to the charges pursuant to a plea agreement.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Davis, 51, came to the attention of law enforcement when one of his bank accounts received a $120,000 wire that was sent to his account by a victim of a scam who was acting under the belief the funds were being used towards closing on a home purchase. Davis withdrew that money immediately and transferred it to a number of other individuals and the victim lost the home and thousands of dollars. Investigation ultimately revealed that Davis laundered over two and a half million dollars over three years for an individual he had met online and whom he believed was a female but was actually a Nigerian male engaged in numerous scams. In addition, Davis received 43 debit cards in other people’s names and sent images of those cards to the Nigerian. Davis continued to launder the money even after explicitly being informed by law enforcement that the money he was moving was from criminal activity.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. FBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-CR-141.
Armed Drug Trafficker Receives 135 Months for Distributing Drugs and Discharging a FirearmRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Marlon Porter, 51, of Wilmington, was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in prison for armed trafficking of cocaine base (crack), cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. On March 13, 2023, Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl; possession of a quantity of crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Our men and women continue to work tirelessly day in and day out to protect the City of Wilmington,” said Wilmington Police Chief Donnie Williams. “I am extremely grateful for their continued dedication to ensuring that justice is delivered. I appreciate the partnership with the various agencies who assisted with this case to bring it to a close. We will continue to patrol the streets to remove violent offenders and send them to prison where they belong.” said Wilmington Police Chief Donnie Williams.
“ATF and our law enforcement partners focus on those individuals who pose the biggest threat to our communities,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Our collaborative efforts continue to disrupt drug trafficking networks, recover firearms from illegal possessors, apprehend violent offenders, and better public safety in our neighborhoods.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on June 26, 2019, a Wilmington Police Officer and a New Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to multiple gun shots in the area of Gores Row and Orange Streets in Wilmington. They observed Marlon Porter running across the street. Porter did not initially respond to commands to stop and ran around a corner. Porter then came back into their sight and surrendered. After searching the area, law enforcement found a stolen 9mm handgun cocked and ready to fire. Law enforcement also observed Porter’s brother, George Porter, reaching into a car in the area. Law enforcement searched the car and found a loaded .380 handgun under the front seat. In addition, numerous shell casings were recovered by law enforcement near the area in which Porter had been observed running from. On July 16, 2019, law enforcement made a controlled purchase from Porter at a Glenn Street address used by Porter as a stash house.
On September 23, 2019, Wilmington Police Officers responded to a welfare check in a hotel parking lot on Eastwood Road. Officers saw Marlon Porter and another man asleep in a BMW. As they approached Porter, he threw two ounces of cocaine across the car. A search of the car uncovered crack, fentanyl, multiple wax baggies, digital scales, almost $4,000 and a loaded .357 revolver. Officers discovered that Porter was associated with a room at the hotel. Inside the hotel room, officers found six grams of fentanyl, crack and items used to make crack.
On December 13, 2019, New Hanover County Narcotics detectives received information that Porter was selling drugs from the Baymont Inn in Wilmington. Following this, detectives arrested an individual in possession of heroin in the area of South 15th street. The individual had a room key for the Baymont Inn. Law enforcement went to the room and stopped a female leaving the room with five bindles of fentanyl. Upon entry of the room, they found Porter on the bed, and a search of the room found a .45 caliber handgun, three grams of fentanyl, digital scales and almost $2,000. Law enforcement searched Porter’s jeep which was parked in front of the room and found a small amount of fentanyl and a stolen 9mm handgun and digital scales.
Porter has prior North Carolina State convictions for Possession of a controlled substance within 300 feet of a School (1994), Selling Cocaine (2012) Attempted Common Law Robbery and Assault Inflicting Bodily Injury (2012).
This is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:20-cr-00029-M-1.
Two Additional Defendants in North Carolina Plead Guilty to National COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Lenille Mitia Woodard, 36; and Irene Nicole Edwards, 35, each pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loans. The defendants sought relief on behalf of companies they owned purportedly being engaged in event promotion and a beauty salon. They all face up to 20 years in prison. Fifteen defendants, including Woodard and Edwards, have pled guilty in this scheme in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
“These defendants, along with their co-conspirators, chose to steal from a taxpayer funded program designed to help small businesses stay afloat in the face of a global and devastating pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “My office is continuing to investigate and prosecute those who used this lifeline to line their own pockets.”
According to the charged criminal information, the defendant conspired with Edward Whitaker, Schunda Coleman, and others to obtain a fraudulent PPP loan. Whitaker and Coleman pled guilty on January 19, 2023 for their role in operating a nation-wide scheme to help people across the country commit millions of dollars of PPP fraud.
According to charging documents and information summarized in court, Whitaker and Coleman created fraudulent supporting documents and applications for the PPP loans which they provided to the defendants in exchange for 25% of the total loan proceeds. The fraudulent applications falsified the number of employees and gross wages being paid prior to the COVID pandemic, in order to help qualify for the PPP loans. Following the disbursement of the PPP loans, Whitaker instructed each defendant as to how to make it appear that the PPP loans were being paid out to employees, when in reality the money was transferred back to the defendants. The fraudulent payroll records were then submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain 100% loan forgiveness.
Late last year, Quentin Jackson pled guilty in the same conspiracy which included the recruitment of numerous individuals in the Eastern District of North Carolina to use Whitaker and Coleman to obtain fraudulent PPP funds.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge in the Charlotte Field Office. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were economically suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act and additional appropriations authorized up to $649 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Financial institutions issued the PPP loans, which were guaranteed by the SBA.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after United States Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II accepted the pleas. Sentencings will occur before United States District Judge James C. Dever III later this year. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the cases.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER.
U.S. Attorney Announces 17 Indictments in Fayetteville Area as Part of Ongoing Federal Violent Crime and Drug Strategy Significant Amounts of Drugs and Guns SeizedRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, along with federal and local law enforcement, announced ongoing and coordinated efforts to address violent crime and drug trafficking in Fayetteville and surrounding areas.
This effort was conducted as part of two strategic initiatives underway in the region: the Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Over the last two months, 17 individuals were indicted by grand juries for federal charges and are currently in custody. As part of the initiative, 16 guns, four auto sear machine gun switches, nearly 1500 rounds of ammunition, nearly a kilogram of cocaine, approximately an ounce of fentanyl, 100 MDMA/fentanyl pills, cash and two luxury SUVs have been seized.
Additionally, convictions have now been secured against all three North Carolina defendants in an international fentanyl trafficking ring that operated in multiple cities, including the city of Fayetteville. Earlier this month, a federal jury returned verdicts of guilty on both counts against Hector Perez Valenzuela, who was found with seven kilograms of pure fentanyl. In total, the fentanyl trafficking ring was held accountable for distributing more than 40 kilograms of fentanyl around the country.
“As we head into the summer months, when we typically see an uptick in violent crime, we want to send a strong and unified message that this community stands against gun violence and drug traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are working with law enforcement at every level to get dangerous, illegal guns and drugs off the streets and put the individuals most responsible for violence and narcotics behind bars. We are using every tool available to keep our communities safe.”
VCAP is a collaboration of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service (USMS). A primary objective of the VCAP is to identify and systematically investigate and prosecute individuals contributing to crime in the city of Fayetteville and surrounding areas. Law enforcement partners use inter-agency coordination and intelligence-led policing, analyzing crime data to deploy resources where they are most needed and leveraging federal Task Force officers to bring federal technology to address local gun violence.
OCDETF investigations identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
"The Fayetteville Police Department remains committed to our partnership with Federal and State agencies to remove violent and career criminals from our community,” said Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden. “This partnership and the highlighted cases presented today support our goal of making Fayetteville a safe and secure community."
“These indictments and seizures demonstrate the FBI's relentless determination to eradicate the sales of illegal drugs. We are proud to work side by side with our law enforcement partners to hold these individuals accountable,” said Robert M. DeWitt, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Charlotte Special Agent in Charge.
“Drugs are affecting families and killing our loved ones,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis W. Wright. “Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies nationwide are constantly collaborating to find opportunities to improve safety in our communities. We hold everyone who endangers our communities with gun violence and poisons like Fentanyl, Cocaine, Meth, and Heroin responsible. While the drug dealers think they are safe, we are putting you on notice that your dealings are being watched, and rest assured that we are on the way to you and have a place for you to stay."
“ATF and our law enforcement partners support the Violent Crime Action Plan because it focuses on those individuals who pose the biggest threat to our communities,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “We can have a major impact on the level of crime and violence in a community when we take firearms out of the hands of dangerous, prohibited individuals.”
"Fentanyl poisonings and other dangerous drugs have taken a terrible toll on our communities.” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division. “Violent criminals and drug traffickers will face the consequences of their actions.”
“The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office is proud to be a part of the Violent Crime Action Plan,” said Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West. “We are committed to partnering with our local, state, and federal law enforcement to aggressively prosecute violent crime. These indictments are an example of working together with our partners to remove dangerous and illegal drugs and guns as well as violent offenders from our community.”
There are a wide range of charges on these subjects including felon in possession of a firearm, robbery, possession with intent to possess/distribute narcotics, as well as possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and crimes of violence.
The following individuals, all from Fayetteville and surrounding areas, face federal prosecution resulting from VCAP:
- Norman Vincent Brown, age 33, felon in possession of a firearm
- Malik Crawford, age 26, interference with commerce by robbery and possession of firearm during a crime of violence
- Joseph Monroe Griffin, age 33, felon in possession of a firearm
- Ondrilleis Malloy, age 26, felon in possession of a firearm
- Demarco McLucas, age 22, felon in possession of a firearm
- Tammy Michelle Mitchell, age 42, felon in possession of a firearm
- Anthony Thomas, age 27, interference with commerce by robbery and possession of firearm during a crime of violence
- Samuel Thompson, age 20, possession of a machinegun and felon in possession of a firearm
- Zaire Whitten, age 26, felon in possession of a firearm
The following defendants were indicted as part of an OCDETF investigation:
- Eric David Black, age 30, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Robert James Colt, a/k/a “RJ,” age 38, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a felon.
- Jean Raymond Desire, a/k/a “Krim,” age 50, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine; and distribution of a quantity of cocaine and aiding and abetting.
- Rashard Antwon Hardy, a/k/a “Gump,” age 42, conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine and abetting.
- Rick Derrell McIntyre, age 44, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Laron Marcell McIntyre, a/k/a “Rat,” age 48, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Natadja Denae Owen, age 26, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and aiding and abetting; and distribution of a quantity of cocaine and aiding and abetting.
- Kenneth Brandon Pomeroy, Jr., a/k/a “Spazz,” age 38, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The VCAP initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Fayetteville Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Marshals Service are involved in the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Webb and Chad Rhoades are the lead prosecutors for the cases, with assistance from other criminal Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the office.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Media Advisory – Press Conference: U.S. Attorney to Announce Multiple Indictments and Seizures as Part of Fayetteville Violent Crime and Drug StrategyRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael Easley, along with representatives from the Fayetteville Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), will hold a press conference on Thursday, June 29th at 11:00 a.m. to announce multiple recent indictments and seizures as part of an ongoing violent crime and drug strategy in the Fayetteville area.
WHERE: Council Chambers in City Hall - 433 Hay Street, Fayetteville
WHEN: TOMORROW (THURSDAY) 11:00 a.m.
Media, please arrive by 10:30 a.m. for set up.
Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend. For additional information, please e-mail [email protected]. Please RSVP your intentions to attend the event.
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Fourth Circuit Upholds Former Tabor City Doctor's Conviction for Operating a Pill MillRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A three-judge panel from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a unanimous, published opinion affirming former physician Jong Whan Kim’s conviction and sentence for operating a pill mill in Tabor City. The Fourth Circuit’s decision was the first published opinion by the Court upholding a physician’s conviction for unlawful prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances since the Supreme Court decided Ruan v. United States, 142 S. Ct. 2370 (2022), which made it more difficult for the government to convict physicians for unlawful prescribing.
“Kim abused his trust and authority as a physician by writing illegitimate prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, and in doing so, placed his patients and children at a local elementary school at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The Fourth Circuit’s ruling reaffirms that doctors may not abuse their authority to write prescriptions for controlled substances by knowingly issuing prescriptions outside the scope of legitimate medical practice. Our commitment to prosecuting physicians and other prescribers who operate pill mills in Eastern North Carolina remains steadfast.”
On December 8, 2021, Kim, 76, pled guilty to conspiring with his office assistant, Tammy Thompson, to unlawfully dispense and distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, and marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; to multiple counts of unlawful dispensing and distribution of oxycodone, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; and to distribution of marijuana and aiding and abetting, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & 18 U.S.C. § 2. The district court sentenced Kim to 78 months in prison.
Kim’s misconduct dates to March 2017, when he was forced to resign from his medical practice due to concerns over his opioid prescribing practices. Soon thereafter, Kim opened a clinic in Tabor City. Over the next year, Kim unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to “patients” who paid $200 in cash at each appointment. The investigation revealed that Kim often failed to comply with basic standards of legitimate medical practice. He wrote controlled substance prescriptions to virtually every patient he saw, often in the face of evidence of patient misuse and diversion. A confidential informant (“CI”) obtained opioid prescriptions from Kim on twelve occasions. On one occasion, he obtained marijuana from Kim’s office manager at the same time he obtained a prescription from Kim, and paid Kim for the marijuana. On another occasion, Kim wrote the CI a prescription after the CI asked for a higher dosage so he could sell more pills on the street. On a third occasion, the office manager told the CI, in Kim’s presence, that Kim was willing to trade work for prescriptions. In total, Kim dispensed more than two million doses of addictive prescription medications.
Kim’s clinic was located just steps from Tabor City Elementary School. Patients seeking controlled substances often loitered near the school, which created safety concerns. As the Fourth Circuit noted, the school was forced to cancel recess due to activity at Kim’s clinic, and the school was locked down more than once.
In affirming Kim’s conviction and sentence, the Fourth Circuit wrote that a “mountain of circumstantial evidence le[ft] little doubt” that Kim subjectively intended to prescribe opioids and other controlled substances outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the Fourth Circuit’s decision. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Charlotte Tactical Diversion Squad, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, DECU investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nick Miller, Bryan Stephany and Tim Severo prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Bragdon and Andrew Kasper represented the United States before the Fourth Circuit.
The Fourth Circuit’s complete opinion in United States v. Kim can be found here.
A copy of this press release may be found on our website.
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Armed Lumberton Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More than 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Corey Wellman, 35, of Lumberton, North Carolina was sentenced today to 210 months in prison for gun and drug crimes.
In October of 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in coordination with the Lumberton Police Department initiated in investigation into Corey Wellman and his associates for drug and gun trafficking. In December and January, Law enforcement oversaw controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Wellman ranging from a quarter of an ounce to an ounce. During these transactions, Wellman was often seen possessing a firearm. The transactions took place at Wellman’s stash house at 44 Van Born Drive, which is located in an area known for criminal activity, including shootings.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Lumberton Police Department, and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Rhoades and Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Labresh prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:20-CR-184-D.
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Wilmington Doctor to Pay $170,000 to Resolve Allegations of Unlawful Prescribing of OpioidsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Dr. Mark S.T. Armitage, a physician practicing with Pelican Family Medicine in Wilmington, North Carolina, agreed to pay $170,000 to resolve alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Dr. Armitage, who previously surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration to prescribe controlled substances, further agreed not to reapply for authorization to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances until April 30, 2024. The settlement was announced by Michael F. Easley, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Based on its investigation, the United States contended that from approximately 2009 until 2018, Dr. Armitage issued prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. For example, Dr. Armitage allegedly wrote prescriptions for “The Trinity”—the combination of an opioid, a benzodiazepine, and a muscle relaxer, which is frequently sought by drug abusers—on nearly 400 separate occasions between 2016 and 2018. In total, Dr. Armitage allegedly wrote nearly 9,000 prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, like oxycodone, over that two-year time-period.
The United States’ investigation followed a 2018 Consent Order entered by the North Carolina Medical Board, in which Dr. Armitage acknowledged that his multi-year prescribing of opioids and other controlled substance to one patient, who was a mother of four, “constitute[d] a departure from or a failure to conform to the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice.” Dr. Armitage continued to prescribe the patient opioids and other controlled substances even after the patient exhibited numerous warnings signs of abuse, experienced significant weight loss, and went into acute narcotic withdrawal. The patient was ultimately involuntarily admitted for addiction detoxification.
“Doctors take an oath to, first, do no harm. Anything else is unacceptable, especially when it comes to prescribing opioids and other dangerous drugs. Irresponsible doctors endanger their patients’ lives and can put a tremendous toll on society at large,” said United States Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “This case is just one part of our our continued commitment to combat the opioid crisis by holding doctors accountable for compliance with the Controlled Substances Act.”
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Program. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Anderson and Andrew Kasper represented the United States.
The United States’ factual and legal assertions are allegations only, and there has been no admission or judicial determination of liability. The civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dr. Armitage, nor a concession by the United States that its potential claims were not well-founded.
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North Carolina CFO Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison in Multi-Million Tax Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Christopher Scott Harrison, 56, of Fayetteville, N.C., was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release to include home confinement, for tax fraud. On January 24, Harrison pled guilty willfully filing a false tax return with respect to nearly $25 million in unreported income he paid to himself from his company. In addition to his prison sentence, Harrison was ordered to pay more than $4.6 million in additional restitution.
“As noted by the judge at sentencing, this businessman used a sophisticated scheme over many years to knowingly divert corporate proceeds to support his lifestyle by claiming fancy jewelry, such as a Rolex watch, a Cartier diamond necklace and a Tiffany bracelet were business expenses,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We will not allow wealthy tax cheats to line their pockets at the expense of hardworking American taxpayers.”
According to the criminal information and evidence summarized in Court, Harrison became the CFO and majority owner of an insurance and Human Resources benefits business, Ebenconcepts. Beginning at least as early as 2012, Harrison began to lavishly spend company funds for his own benefit, for example purchasing a watch for approximately $145,000 and spending approximately $300,000 of company funds for a swimming pool at his residence. As these expenditures came to light, Harrison filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy proceedings, an accounting firm retained by the Bankruptcy Trustee discovered almost $25 million in personal expenditures attributable to Harrison reported as business expenses between tax years 2012 and 2018. Harrison filed false personal returns over that period, which failed to report the income, leading to almost $6 million in uncollected federal income taxes.
“The license to run a business is not a license to avoid paying taxes,” said Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Thomas, of Charlotte’s Field Office. “Harrison’s misconduct - hiding income and having his business pay his purely personal expenses - cheated all Americans, since we all pay our fair share for the government services and protections that we enjoy.”
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-00309-M.
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Wilmington Man Receives 70 Month Sentence for Possessing “Ghost Gun” and Other Firearms with High-Capacity MagazinesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Wilmington man was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On March 21, 2023, Shyheim Zyaan Waters-Davis, age 20, pled guilty to the charge.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, beginning in October of 2022, members of the Wilmington Police Department received information from multiple sources that Waters-Davis was selling crack cocaine in the Wilmington area and was known to carry a firearm. Thereafter, law enforcement conducted several controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Waters-Davis and, on November, 17, 2022, members of the Wilmington Police Department and members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force executed a search warrant at the home of Waters-Davis. The search revealed approximately 123 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a privately manufactured firearm (aka “ghost gun”) with a 24-round extended magazine, a stolen 9mm firearm with a 50 round drum magazine, and cash. At the time of this offense, Mr. Waters-Davis was on state probation for felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Wilmington Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit, the FBI’s Coastal Carolina Safe Street’s Gang Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Special Assistant United States Attorney William Van Trigt prosecuted the case. Mr. Van Trigt is a prosecutor with the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal violent crimes and other criminal matters. This has been made possible by a grant funded by New Hanover County.
The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:23-cr-00008M-001.
Media Advisory – U.S. Attorney to Host “United Against Hate” Community Outreach EventRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael Easley is hosting a “United Against Hate” community outreach on Wednesday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. event as part of the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat hate crimes. Through the United Against Hate initiative, U.S. Attorneys are convening local forums to build stronger relationships between community organizations and federal, state and local law enforcement and to educate communities on how to identify and report hate crimes. The United Against Hate outreach in the Eastern District of North Carolina is part of the broader Civil Rights Initiative announced last year.
WHERE: Chavis Community Center, Room 202; 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
WHEN: Tomorrow, June 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Media: please arrive at the courthouse by 9:30 a.m. for set up.
TO RSVP and for logistical information in advance of the media availability, please contact Don Connelly at [email protected].
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Raleigh ENT Doctor Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Adulterating Surgical Devices, for Defrauding Medicare, and for Stealing Patient IdentitiesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Anita Louise Jackson, 62, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for adulterating surgical devices used in more than 1400 nasal surgeries performed on Medicare patients between 2011 and 2018. Jackson was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit 4.7 million dollars. In January of this year, Jackson was found guilty by a federal jury on 20 criminal counts, including device adulteration, fraud, conspiracy and identity theft.
“This doctor put profit over patients by reusing single-use surgical devices hundreds of times, even though those devices came into contact with blood and other bodily fluids. In doing so, she risked the contamination of one patient’s sinuses with the bodily fluids of other patients,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Medicare auditors also found that Jackson was the top-biller for balloon sinuplasty surgeries in the country, having billed the program over $46 million. When auditors began to audit the defendant’s practice, she and her staff falsified medical records and forged patient signatures in an attempt to justify billing the surgeries.”
Evidence presented at the trial demonstrated that Jackson was an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor who operated Greater Carolina Ear, Nose, and Throat (GCENT), with offices in Raleigh, Lumberton and Rockingham. Jackson, through her employees, marketed balloon sinuplasty, an in-office procedure to treat chronic sinusitis, as a “sinus spa,” and encouraged patients to come to the office for a “free” sinus spa, which was a treatment that they may not have needed. Jackson falsified medical records to justify the billing of balloon sinuplasty surgeries to Medicare auditors.
“This case is a reminder that health care fraud is not a victimless crime. Jackson stole millions of dollars that are essential to the Medicare program and willfully endangered her patients’ health,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Our agency, working with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure that those who defraud our federal health care programs and needlessly risk harm to patients are held accountable.”
Between 2011 and the end of 2017, Jackson performed 1555 balloon sinuplasty surgeries on 919 Medicare beneficiary patients, using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Entellus XprESS device. However, instead of using the device only once and only on one patient, as required by FDA guidelines, Jackson reused the devices on multiple patients. Between 2012 and 2017, Jackson obtained, at most, 36 new Entellus devices, despite being, at times, the top-paid Medicare provider of balloon sinuplasty services in the country and providing more than 1500 surgeries. In addition, Jackson failed to inform her patients that they were receiving a procedure with an adulterated device. During the trial, Jackson admitted that she had sufficient money to buy every patient a new device but chose not to do so.
“U.S. consumers rely on FDA oversight to ensure that medical devices are safe and effective. When healthcare providers disregard safety information, including single-use and single-user designations, resulting in the adulteration of medical devices, they put patients’ health at risk,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Patrick Whelan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice providers who jeopardize the public health.”
Jackson billed Medicare more than $46 million dollars for the balloon sinuplasty procedures between 2014 and 2018. In that time, she netted more than $4.79 million from Medicare for these surgeries. That amount does not include any sinuplasty surgeries performed on patients with private health care insurance. The jury ordered Jackson to forfeit these profits.
The final judgment on restitution in this case will not be entered until after 90 days. During this time period, patient victims will have an opportunity to present any specific claims of loss to the Court arising from the charges.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by United States Judge James C. Dever III. The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the United States Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service lead the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William M. Gilmore and Karen K. Haughton prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District has a pending civil action against Jackson, in case captioned: United States of America and the State of North Carolina ex rel. Lee M. Mandel, MD, FACS, and Erin Craig v. Anita Louise Jackson, MD and Greater Carolina Ear, Nose & Throat, P.A., No. 17-cv-925 (MDNC).
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00259-D
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Fayetteville Cardiologist Agrees to Pay over $5 Million to Resolve Allegedly False Medicare and Medicaid ClaimsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Fayetteville, North Carolina cardiologist Dr. Hari Saini and his current practice, Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A., agreed to pay $5,015,554 to the United States and North Carolina to resolve allegedly false Medicare and Medicaid claims.
“This civil fraud settlement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to protect taxpayer money and guard the integrity of our vital health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Medical doctors should never bill for unnecessary procedures. Those who do will be held accountable. Our office will zealously pursue damages and civil penalties against medical professionals where warranted.”
This settlement arose from whistleblower allegations that Dr. Saini and his cardiology practice performed unnecessary atherectomy procedures to remove minor plaque blockage in leg arteries in patients. The United States filed a complaint against Dr. Saini, Carolina Heart and Leg Center, and Carolina Cape Fear Medical Group, alleging that Defendants “systematically overstated the stenosis percentage” to justify medically unnecessary atherectomies for the maximum number of procedures for their patients. More specifically, the Government alleged that Dr. Saini—who was one of the highest billing cardiologists in North Carolina for this type of claim—conducted “risky and invasive atherectomy procedures to unnecessarily remove plaque blockage that was, at best, only minimally present, all in blatant disregard for patient safety and Program billing requirements.” Based upon billing and medical records, Defendants were paid millions from Medicare and Medicaid, which the Government alleged was not supported by the retained medical records for the services provided and billed.
Ultimately, after six years of discovery and litigation, and with trial looming, Dr. Saini and his practice agreed to pay more than $5 million to resolve the False Claims Act allegations.
“Physicians cannot perform procedures on patients who don't need them just to make more money,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “That’s a waste of taxpayer resources and a fundamental abuse of the trust we put in doctors. My office will hold accountable health care providers when they commit fraud for their own enrichment.”
The federal and state False Claims Acts mandate that the Governments recover triple the money falsely obtained, plus substantial penalties for each false claim submitted, and attorneys’ fees and costs to the whistleblower. It should be noted that the civil claims resolved by settlement here are allegations only, and that there has been no judicial determination or admission of liability. Dr. Saini and his practice deny these fraud allegations.
This matter was handled in partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Neal Fowler and North Carolina Senior Deputy Attorney General Eddie Kirby represented the United States and State of North Carolina in this civil action. The investigation was conducted by the HHS Office of Inspector General, including Special Agent Craig Schiffbauer, and the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division.
Drug Dealer Who Sold Fentanyl-Laced Crack Sentenced to More Than 16 Years After Four People Died in a Single DayRead the Press Release
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A Beulaville man was sentenced today to 200 months in prison for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base (crack) and fentanyl. Four people died from overdoses after consuming drugs sold by Marshall Ray Scarborough on a single day in April 2021. Scarborough was also ordered to pay the funeral expenses for all the victims. On February 7, 2023, Scarborough, age 65, pled guilty to the charges.
"Drug dealers who lace fentanyl into their supply are killing Americans at record rates, and families across Eastern North Carolina are feeling the pain of burying their loved ones far too early,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Four of this fentanyl dealer’s customers had their lives snuffed out in a single day. Dealers should know, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering local Sheriffs Offices to send fentanyl dealers to federal prison for the death and sorrow they sow."
“This is a great example of what happens when we work together, and I commend the men and women who worked relentlessly in conducting a thorough investigation,” said Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes. “Today, Marshall Scarborough was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence in federal court, which ensures that he will no longer spread poison in our community, or other communities. I hope this brings some form of comfort and closure to the victims’ families. Let this be a notice to anyone actively dealing narcotics or planning to deal narcotics in Duplin County. Our Office will continue to work diligently with our local, state, and federal allies to rid our communities of these issues.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, deputies with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office responded to three separate residences with unresponsive individuals, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fourth. Efforts to revive individuals were unsuccessful. In three of the four cases, autopsies were performed, and the cause of death was listed as acute fentanyl and cocaine intoxication. In the fourth case, no autopsy was performed, but a blood test revealed fentanyl, cocaine and diazepam. The investigation determined that Scarborough was the source of supply for the crack that all four victims had ingested.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, the Wallace Police Department, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-116-BO-001.
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Federal Jury Convicts Fentanyl Trafficker Who Stole 7 Kilos from Fayetteville Stash HouseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Hector Perez Valenzuela, age 34, for conspiracy and drug trafficking charges related to his role in the theft of seven kilograms of fentanyl with an estimated value of more than $250,000 from a Fayetteville stash house.
“According to DEA, fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has faced,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are working closely with our law enforcement partners to stem the tide of this highly addictive and potentially lethal drug in our communities.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fayetteville Police Department began investigating a large-scale fentanyl trafficking ring with ties to the Sinaloa cartel.
The leaders of the drug trafficking organization were based on the west coast, but they set up apartments in the Fayetteville, North Carolina as hubs for the distribution of kilogram quantities of fentanyl across the United States.
John Ellingson was a courier for the drug trafficking organization. From Fayetteville, he transported dozens of kilograms of fentanyl to several cities, including Chicago, Atlanta, and Baltimore.
In early November, 2019, Ellingson and two co-conspirators—Kittisack Sam Vorana and Hector Perez Valenzuela, the defendant—decided to steal large quantities of drugs that belonged to the drug trafficking organization. They planned to make the theft look like a burglary. They also planned to sell the drugs and divide the profits.
On November 7, 2019, the defendant and Vorana traveled from the west coast to Fayetteville. They broke into the apartment and took 7 kilograms of fentanyl and approximately 3,000 fentanyl pills.
They then began driving back to the west coast in a rented Dodge Caravan.
In the early morning hours of November 8, 2019, Vorana and the defendant were stopped for speeding in St. Charles County, Missouri. Vorana and the defendant consented to a search of the vehicle.
During the search, law enforcement discovered a toolbox that contained seven brick-like packages. The packages had been wrapped in electrical tape and covered in grease to help evade detection by drug canines. A key to the toolbox was found in the defendant’s pocket.
Vorana and the defendant were arrested and admitted to the theft of narcotics. They also admitted that they planned to sell the drugs in the Portland, Oregon area. Each kilogram was valued at approximately $38,000.
The packages were tested by a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory and found to contain more than seven kilograms of fentanyl.
On June 8, 2023, the jury convicted Perez Valenzuela of both counts with which he was charged: conspiracy to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute fentanyl (Count One) and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and aiding and abetting (Count Two). At sentencing, he faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment.
Vorana and Ellingson have previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl conspiracy charges, and they are awaiting sentencing.
This is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Related Cases:
- United States v. John Ellingson: 5:20-CR-397-M-1.
- United States v. Kittisack Sam Vorana: 5:20-CR-12-M-2.
The leaders of the drug trafficking organization are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the verdict. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Fayetteville Police Department, and the St. Charles County Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Lemmon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Gainer prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00012-M-1.
Armed Harnett County Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Dunn man was sentenced today to 212 months in prison for multiple charges, including drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Anthony Puente, 35, previously pled guilty to distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Harnett County Sherriff’s Office oversaw multiple controlled purchases from Puente. In addition, an agent with the Dunn Police Department who was patrolling local hotels based on reports of increased narcotics activity in the area, observed Puente’s vehicle in two of the hotel parking lots. The officer approached Puente’s vehicle and, after detecting the odor of marijuana, asked Puente to exit the car. Puente consented to a weapons frisk, which uncovered 40 grams of crystal methamphetamine, five grams of cocaine and two grams of marijuana. After finding the drugs on Puente, the officer conducted a search of the car which yielded a 9mm pistol, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, 16 12-gauge shot gun shells, and additional amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Dunn Police Department investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Peaden prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-297-FL and 5:21-CR-189-FL.
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Wilson Man with Two Prior Felony Convictions Sentenced to 19 Years After Armed Robbery of Speedway Gas StationRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Antwon Demarco Perry, of Wilson, was sentenced today to 228 months in prison for brandishing a firearm during a robbery. Perry, 37, pled guilty to the charge on March 16, 2023.
“Violent robberies like this often leave victims traumatized for years, even when no shots are fired,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This store clerk was just doing her job when she was held at gunpoint and ordered to hand over the cash in the register. The Wilson Police Department is partnering with our office to get dangerous, repeat felons off the streets to make our communities safer.”
“We value our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Wilson Police Chief Scott Biddle. “The arrest and prosecution of chronic, violent offenders like Mr. Perry are vital to making Wilson a safe place to live and raise a family. This partnership resulted in the conviction and sentencing that will keep Mr. Perry off the streets of Wilson for a long time.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on November 5, 2019, at around 10:30 p.m., officers with the Wilson Police Department responded to an armed robbery call at the Speedway gas station at 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in Wilson. The store clerk told officers that a masked man wearing a gray-camouflage jacket and light blue gloves pointed a firearm at her and demanded money from the register. She handed over money from the register, and the robber fled on foot.
The State Crime Lab analyzed matching light blue gloves recovered during the course of the investigation for DNA, and the results came back as a match for Perry. When investigators approached Perry, he admitted to committing the robbery to repay a drug debt.
This is Perry’s third federal felony conviction. In 2004 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, he was convicted of numerous offenses, including armed carjacking and use of a firearm during that crime, and received a 60-month sentence. Then, in 2012, Perry was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina of possessing a firearm as a felon and received a 71-month sentence.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Wilson Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-0052-D.
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Raleigh Man Involved in Gas Station Shootout Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Marcus Antonio Williams, 36, of Raleigh was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, during the early morning hours of October 3, 2020, Williams was involved in an altercation with multiple other individuals at a gas station on Trawick Road in Raleigh. Surveillance video from the gas station shows Williams, a multi-time convicted felon, with a gun in his hand. The video appears to show Williams shoot the firearm at an individual. Another man then returned fire. Williams and another individual each received gunshot wounds from the shootout. Weeks later, on November 18, 2020, police served a search warrant at Williams’s residence in Raleigh. Amongst Williams’s personal items, police found a .45 caliber handgun which had been reported stolen from Durham, NC.
“Felons are not permitted to own a gun and those who participate in violent shootings in public areas are particularly dangerous,” said. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “My office will continue to prioritize these cases to get these violent individuals off the street. But this case should also serve as a reminder for gun owners to safely secure their firearms to keep them out of the hands of dangerous felons like Williams. Safe storage of guns is one of the best ways to prevent gun violence in the first place.”
“The Raleigh Police Department is proud to have worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by providing the necessary evidence to prosecute this case,” commented Chief Estella Patterson. “The sentencing of Mr. Williams ensures that he is no longer free to endanger the lives of innocent community members through willful and violent shootings. It is a top priority of the Raleigh Police Department to make our city the safest in the country, and we will do so by preventing violent offenders, such as Mr. Williams, from ever having the freedom to hold a firearm ever again.”
Williams was named in a single-count indictment on April 7, 2021, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm for the gun found amongst his belongings on November 18, 2020. He pleaded guilty on October 20, 2021.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan . The Raleigh Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon L. Boykin and Sarah E. Nokes prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-CR-155-FL.
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Nash County Man Barred from Sweepstakes Scheme Targeting Senior CitizensRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina permanently enjoined Alpheus Brewer of Nashville, North Carolina, from further participation in a fraud scheme that victimized elderly Americans. The Government alleges that participants in the fraud scheme falsely claimed that individuals had won a sweepstakes or lottery, and then induced the victims to transmit money to Brewer to account for taxes and/or fees purportedly associated with, or to otherwise obtain the release of, the victims’ falsely promised winnings.
“Mr. Brewer is alleged to have taken advantage of some of the most vulnerable members of our community through his participation in a scheme that robbed them of their savings,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This action reflects our continued commitment to using every tool in our arsenal to combat elder fraud and abuse, and to ensuring justice for our community.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to investigating individuals who abuse consumer trust and target the elderly and vulnerable individuals because of greed,” said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the Atlanta Division. “Postal Inspectors, along with our federal partners, are committed to holding responsible those individuals who utilize the U.S. Mail in furtherance of illicit schemes at the expense of the public.”
The United States alleged that from approximately mid-2021 to at least early 2023, Brewer assisted and facilitated this predatory mail-fraud, wire-fraud, and money-laundering scheme that was, in a nutshell, a sweepstakes or lottery scam. Brewer received the victims’ funds through the United States Postal Service or commercial mail carriers, deposited the fraudulently obtained funds into various bank accounts that Brewer owned in the United States, and then permitted individuals in Jamaica to withdraw the funds through automated teller machines.
As alleged by the Government, on at least two separate occasions, the United States Postal Inspection Service warned Brewer that he appeared to be involved in a fraudulent scheme and informed him that he should not participate further. Brewer continued participating. When approached by law enforcement, Brewer admitted his participation in the scheme, explaining that he, too, was a victim of a lottery fraud scheme and was trying to recover his own losses. All told, the United States alleged that victims of this scheme lost approximately $143,000.
The United States filed a complaint against Brewer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345, which allows the Government to enjoin certain fraudulent behavior. Brewer cooperated with the Government’s investigation and consented to the injunction, which the Court entered on June 1, 2023.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Anderson and Andrew Kasper represented the United States.
Other than the findings in the Court’s order, the United States’ factual assertions are allegations only. The Court has, however, determined that Brewer is liable in this civil action, and has entered the injunction against him.
Related court documents and information from the civil lawsuit are on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CV-260-FL.
Cumberland County Woman Gets Maximum Penalty for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Cumberland County woman was sentenced today to 360 months imprisonment followed by lifetime of supervised release for producing child pornography. She was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Amy Banks Huddleston, 50, was investigated by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in July 2021 after a child with whom she had contact was found to be a victim of child sexual exploitation.
The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received three CyberTips from the Kik social media platform that one of its users had uploaded child sexual abuse material on multiple days. The IP address used to upload the images belonged to Joshua Glardon who lived in Fayetteville. Two of the images in the CyberTip appeared to be homemade images. Pursuant to a search warrant, Glardon’s digital devices were seized. After a forensic analysis was complete, law enforcement found thousands of images of child sexual abuse material on his phone. Included in those files were images of the child that appeared to be homemade images that were a part of the CyberTips.
Law enforcement officers were able to identify the child through chat messages Glardon had with Amy Huddleston. When law enforcement learned Huddleston had access to this child, a search warrant was executed on Huddleston’s residence. In an interview, Huddleston confessed to allowing Glardon to sexually assault this child. She admitted she would take images and videos of the child, including videos of her performing sexual acts on the child, and send them to Glardon. A forensic analysis of Huddleston’s digital devices revealed chat conversations wherein Glardon and Huddleston discussed the sexual abuse of the child.
Glardon was also federally indicted and has entered pleas of guilty to Distribution, Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography. He is awaiting sentencing.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan
presided over the sentencing. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and
the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR98-2FL.
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“Crips” Gang Member Receives More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Conviction After Leading Law Enforcement on a High-Speed Chase and Crashing His CarRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Darrell Koonce, 36, of Kinston, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. He pled guilty to the charge on February 22, 2023.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on July 6, 2021, Koonce was stopped for erratic driving after he was observed leaving a known drug location in Kinston. When the Kinston Police Detectives approached the vehicle, they observed an odor of marijuana. During a search of the car, detectives located 40 grams of fentanyl and cash.
On August 4, 2022, officers observed Koonce driving a sedan on Ferrell Road in Lenoir County. The officers attempted to stop Koonce and serve a federal arrest warrant and Koonce initially stopped his car. However, Koonce then fled at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued him and Koonce’s car reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. Koonce ultimately collided with a car that was travelling in the other lane of traffic, and he was arrested following the collision.
According to law enforcement, Koonce was a member of the Crips Gang and has prior convictions for Discharging a weapon into occupied property (2006), Common Law Robbery (2015), Assault Inflicting Serious Injury on a Detention Officer (2015), and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (2020).
“As an agency, we’re extremely grateful that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had made it their focal point to assist communities such as Kinston,” said Kinston Police Chief Keith Goyette. “This sentence protects our community and places a career criminal where he belongs, in prison.”
This is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Kinston Police Department and the Jacksonville Police Departments investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-cr-00036-M-RJ-1.
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Wilson County Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Lucama, N.C. man was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in prison for the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) between April 2020 and August 2021. On February 7, 2023, Jason Ray Batten, 39, pled guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on November 23, 2020, an online undercover employee observed a user of the social media platform, Kik, posting links containing CSAM. Investigators traced the IP address used by the account back to North Carolina and ultimately identified the individuals to whom the subject user accounts were registered. On August 24, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Batten’s address and also confronted Batten at a nearby property. When confronted, Batten made a number of voluntary admissions, including that he had been involved in the transmission, receipt and possession of CSAM for approximately four years, was a member of multiple online groups known for sharing of CSAM, and even served as the moderator of one such online group. A full forensic examination revealed numerous image and video files of CSAM, including files depicting the sexual abuse of minors as young as infants, and a number of CSAM videos over 10 minutes long.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Greenville Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan M. Stephany prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00239-BO.
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Rocky Mount Man Involved in Raleigh Shooting Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Terrance Daniels, 34, of Rocky Mount was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, Terrance Daniels engaged in a shooting outside of a convenience store on Poole Road in Raleigh on July 6, 2022. The shooting was captured on video and Daniels could be seen firing the illegally possessed firearm nine times in the direction of two victims, one of whom was an acquaintance of Daniels. The two victims were engaged in a fist fight outside of the store when Daniels fired at them, striking them both in their legs. Daniels was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and indicted on November 1, 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 7, 2023.
The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Raleigh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00275-BO.
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New Bern Getaway Driver in Armed Robbery Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Justin Pickens, 31, of New Bern was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for charges related to an armed robbery in New Bern, North Carolina.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, Justin Pickens and two of his co-defendants, Quamaime Donnell Smith and Francesco Greco, Jr., planned and executed an armed robbery of the Five Points gas station in New Bern on May 17, 2021. The robbery was captured on the video surveillance footage from inside the store. The footage shows two male suspects enter the store, one armed with a handgun and the other armed with a tire iron. The robber with the gun, Smith, could been seen striking the store clerk in the head with his gun. The two robbers then emptied the cash register and fled the store in a getaway vehicle driven by Pickens. In total, the three stole roughly $3,000 in cash from the store. New Bern Police located and arrested all three suspects within 24 hours of the robbery and recovered the firearm used during the robbery.
“Brutal armed robberies like this one leave victims traumatized for years, and sometimes with lifelong physical limitations. This gas station attendant was not just held-up, he was pistol-whipped in the head. Hardworking people should never be subjected to violence just for doing their jobs,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The FBI and New Bern Police worked hard to get justice for this victim. And, for his role in a violent crime that netted roughly $3,000, this defendant and his co-conspirators are now spending time behind bars.”
“The New Bern Police Department serves and protects the citizens and businesses within the City,” said New Bern Police Chief Patrick Gallagher. “Our daily goal is to create and maintain a peaceful place to live, work, and visit. These perpetrators committed a heinous act of assaulting the clerk and robbery of the business. Members of the agency worked together tirelessly, using various investigative techniques and methods, to bring about the best possible outcome for the victim, as well as those within the community. Let this outcome serve as notice to criminals that the New Bern Police Department will bring the full weight of the justice system on individuals who threaten the balance of peace within our community.”
Pickens, the getaway driver, was named in a one count indictment on July 21, 2022, charging him with interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting. He pleaded guilty on February 23, 2023. Greco was sentenced to 40 months on April 21, 2022, and Smith was sentenced to 144 months on May 25, 2022.
Michael F. Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The New Bern Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-CR-00038-BO.
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Pasquotank County Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – An Elizabeth City, N.C. man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) between October 2011 and March 2021. On January 3, 2023, Brian Keith Corp, 59, pled guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, investigators received a cyber tip in March of 2021 which indicated that a phone number, later confirmed to belong to Corp, had uploaded 5 files containing CSAM. Investigators obtained a search warrant and met Corp at his residence on March 10, 2021. Corp initially denied knowledge of any CSAM and consented to a search of his electronic devices. As the forensic preview examination was being conducted on-scene, Corp made several admissions. A full forensic examination revealed over 5,500 files containing CSAM, including images and videos depicting sexual abuse of toddlers. The forensic examination also revealed a carefully organized collection of CSAM that indicated Corp had been engaged in the offense conduct for nearly 10 years. While on pretrial release, Corp absconded and was on the run for several days before authorities ultimately located him in Virginia.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Department of Homeland Security, Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan M. Stephany prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00007-BO.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to More Than 24 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Jacksonville man was sentenced today to 292 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for production of child pornography. William Austin Strawn, 30, pled guilty to the charge on January 3, 2023.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in November 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) infiltrated a Kik chat group that was dedicated to sharing and discussing original videos of child pornography. A member of the group with the username “Craig Shellston” began communicating with an undercover FBI agent about the sexual abuse of a child with whom he had contact. “Craig Shellston” sent multiple videos that depicted him sexually abusing a child.
Emergency court orders were issued to find the lessee of the IP address used by “Craig Shellston” since the FBI believed a child was in immediate danger. The IP address belonged to a residence in Jacksonville where Strawn lived. A search warrant was executed at the residence and Strawn was arrested.
Strawn gave a statement to law enforcement wherein he admitted to being a part of the Kik chat group and admitted to receiving child pornography depicting children between the ages of 5 and 10. He admitted to committing sexual acts with the child with whom he had access. During jail telephone conversations he admitted to others to producing child pornography.
"Strawn's crimes are heinous, and the long-term impact on his victim is immeasurable. The lengthy sentence he must serve in federal prison should send a powerful message. The FBI will do everything possible to hold those accountable who abuse the most vulnerable members of our communities. Protecting children should be everyone's priority," said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge.
“We value our partnership with the federal agencies and that partnership has made Jacksonville a safer place,” said Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle presided over the sentencing. The Jacksonville Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-000196-BO.
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Goldsboro “Blood” Gang Member Who Shot at Vehicle with Stolen Gun Sentenced to More than 8 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Sir Calvin Johnson, 26, of Goldsboro, was sentenced to 102 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pled guilty to the charge on February 7, 2023. Johnson was on federal supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon at the time of this offense.
“Senseless gun violence in Eastern North Carolina is claiming too many young lives,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are partnering with ATF and local law enforcement to get illegal guns off the streets and putting those who drive violence behind bars. This Blood gang member stole a gun and recklessly fired at the victim’s car before being arrested. The Goldsboro Police Department should be credited for their swift action in this case to keep the community safe, and their commitment to our ongoing partnership.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on July 23, 2022, Johnson stole a 9mm handgun from a friend and the theft was captured on camera. When the friend found that the gun had been stolen, they left the residence looking for Johnson. The friend found Johnson and confronted him about the gun. Johnson fired the gun and hit the friend’s car. Law enforcement responded to the shots fired call. They found Johnson in the area, and he threw the gun as they approached. Johnson was arrested and the firearm was recovered.
According to law enforcement, Johnson was a Blood gang member. Johnson has prior state conviction for firearm by a felon (2017) and a federal conviction for firearm by a felon (2019).
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Goldsboro Police Departments investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00218-BO.
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Expatriate Charged with Making Multiple Threats to Kill U.S. Senator and U.S. MarinesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric Charles Welton, an American citizen living in Thailand, was arrested last Thursday on a criminal complaint charging that he threatened a U.S. senator and members of their staff in September of 2021. He is also alleged to have made threats against U.S. Marines and others working the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in late 2022. Welton was arrested at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as he returned to the United States from overseas by FBI Charlotte and FBI Atlanta Special Agents.
“Our elected representatives and the public servants who staff their offices must be free to do the people’s work without threats of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Violent threats against our democratically elected representatives do not just erode our civil discourse – they can undermine our democracy. We will hold accountable anyone who threatens violence targeting our bedrock institutions.”
“It is unacceptable to make violent threats against anyone. And when threats are directed at elected officials or members of the armed forces it can impact their ability to serve our country effectively,” said Robert M. DeWitt, the Special Agent in Charge of FBI Charlotte.
According to the complaint, Welton, age 51, made multiple harassing and intimidating calls to the offices of Republican elected officials and associated organizations in the United States due to a large number of unsolicited political emails he claimed he was receiving. In September of 2021, he allegedly spoke with a staff member at the Senator’s Raleigh office and, among other things, threatened to show up and “put a bullet through each of [their] heads.” The complaint also states that Welton threatened to cut off the hands of the individual that had decided to send him the emails.
The complaint further alleges that in October and November of 2022, Welton began making threats against U.S. Marines and others working at the U.S. Consulate in Thailand. In one voicemail, Welton allegedly stated that he was “going to kill a bunch of Marines” due to anger over an immigration issue.
Welton is currently charged with one count of threatening a federal official, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 115(a)(1)(B). If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison. Additional charges may follow.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service provided significant assistance to return him to the United States. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Onslow County Drug Dealer Who Supplied Prostitutes in his Home Sentenced to More than Six Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Jacksonville man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for his role in a drug conspiracy that involved the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl from March 2019 through August 2021. On March 2, 2023, Roderick Wall, 49, pled guilty to drug conspiracy, distribution, and possession with the intent to distribute.
“Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug that our nation has encountered, and it is killing far too many in Eastern North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant openly sold drugs to pregnant women and prostitutes and dealt deadly narcotics in front of his minor children. We are proud to partner with the FBI and Onslow County Sheriff’s Office to put those pushing deadly drugs into our communities behind bars.”
According to court documents and information presented in court, law enforcement initiated an investigation after receiving reports of illegal activity at Wall’s residence. The investigation revealed that Wall sold drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, for at least two and a half years. The investigation also revealed that Wall facilitated prostitution, including by posting online advertisements for sexual services and allowing females to engage in commercial sex out of his home, often while supplying them with drugs.
Between April and August of 2021, agents conducted six controlled purchases of narcotics from Wall, at or near his home. In at least two of the purchases, Wall sold fentanyl to a female who was visibly pregnant, and even discussed the pregnancy with her during one of the transactions. Wall’s wife and two minor children lived in the home with him and were present during some of the drug transactions and when investigators executed a search warrant on August 18, 2021. The search recovered pills, over 28 grams of crystal methamphetamine, over 23 grams of fentanyl, a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, two .22 caliber rifles, marijuana, more than $5,000, and a home surveillance system. The surveillance footage from inside the home depicted drug transactions, as well as another pregnant female injecting fentanyl supplied by Wall.
A co-defendant in the case was previously sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan M. Stephany prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-90-D.
Fentanyl Dealer who Threatened Law Enforcement Officer Sentenced to More than 12 Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A fentanyl trafficker who threatened a Wilson Police Department officer was sentenced to more than 12 years imprisonment.
Michael Jarrell Chapman, age 40, pleaded guilty on February 14, 2022 to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Quantities of Heroin, Fentanyl, and Cocaine Base (Crack) (Count One), and Distribution of Quantities of Heroin and Fentanyl (Count Two).
“Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is killing thousands of people,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are proud to partner with the Wilson Police Department to investigate and prosecute those pushing deadly fentanyl into our communities. And our office will always prioritize cases against those who threaten violence against the brave men and women of law enforcement who serve and protect us.”
On December 30, 2020, a traffic stop was conducted, and Chapman was found in possession of 91 bindles of fentanyl and more than $1,300 in currency.
During the course of this investigation, Chapman placed a call to his state probation officer and indicated that he was going to find the detective who investigated him. Chapman then indicated that he was going to get the detective—either outside the courtroom or inside the courtroom.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, members of the Wilson Police Department learned that Chapman was distributing various controlled substances in the Wilson area. Officers conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl, cocaine base (crack), and heroin from Chapman on several dates in 2020.
At sentencing, Judge Flanagan determined that Chapman was a Career Offender due to his history of prior drug trafficking convictions.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan issued the sentence on May 24, 2023. The Wilson Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Lemmon prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:21-CR-257-FL-1.
Three Additional Defendants in North Carolina Plead Guilty to National COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Isaac Lamont Dawson, 44; Jackson Kyalo Ndoyo, 29; and Dontrell Rayshar Barnes, 32, each plead guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loans. The defendants sought relief on behalf of various companies they owned including companies listed as purportedly being engaged in catering, music production, and construction. They all face up to 20 years in prison.
"At a time when most Americans were looking to help their neighbors, these defendants decided to steal from them by scamming a taxpayer funded program designed to help mom and pop businesses from going under,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “My office is continuing to investigate and prosecute the bad actors who conspired to use this lifeline to line their own pockets."
According to the charged criminal information, the defendant conspired with Edward Whitaker, Schunda Coleman, and others to obtain a fraudulent PPP loan. Whitaker and Coleman pled guilty on January 19, 2023 for their role in operating a nation-wide scheme to help people across the country commit millions of dollars of PPP fraud.
According to charging documents and information summarized in court, Whitaker and Coleman created fraudulent supporting documents and applications for the PPP loans which they provided to the defendants in exchange for 25% of the total loan proceeds. The fraudulent applications falsified the number of employees and gross wages being paid prior to the COVID pandemic, in order to help qualify for the PPP loans. Following the disbursement of the PPP loans, Whitaker instructed each defendant as to how to make it appear that the PPP loans were being paid out to employees, when in reality the money was transferred back to the defendants. The fraudulent payroll records were then submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain 100% loan forgiveness.
Late last year, Quentin Jackson pled guilty in the same conspiracy which included the recruitment of numerous individuals in the Eastern District of North Carolina to use Whitaker and Coleman to obtain fraudulent PPP funds.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge in the Charlotte Field Office. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were economically suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act and additional appropriations authorized up to $649 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Financial institutions issued the PPP loans, which were guaranteed by the SBA.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after United States Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II accepted the pleas. Sentencings will occur before United States District Judge James C. Dever III later this year. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the cases.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER.
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Former Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor Sentenced to over 7 Years in Prison for Executing a Multimillion Dollar Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Shawn Edward Good of Wilmington, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carrying out a $7 million dollar investment fraud scheme. Good pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering on September 15, 2022. Good was also ordered to pay $3,619,594 in restitution to victims.
“This investment advisor was a financial predator who used his position of trust to run a decade-long Ponzi scheme that took in more than $7 million from over a dozen clients,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Shawn Good robbed the savings and retirements of clients who trusted him – including a widow, a single mom, and a retired police officer. He did it out of pure greed, to fuel his lavish lifestyle – purchasing luxury cars, exotic vacations and real estate. His scheme has finally come to an end thanks to the unshakable courage of the victims and the hard work of law enforcement at the IRS and the SBI. Faced with a choice between right and wrong, Mr. Good chose wrong. Now he will spend the next seven-plus years in federal prison.”
“The IRS uses all its investigative tools to uncover abusive tax schemes that misappropriate client funds for personal gain by advisors and brokers,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, IRS Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office. “Investment schemes that seem too good to be true should be a signal to investors to stay clear. The IRS is actively pursuing promoters as well as investors who knowingly participate in these types of tax avoidance schemes."
“The SBI’s Financial Crimes Unit is proud to have joined the efforts in this investigation to help bring about closure and justice to the victims. As for the individuals who intentionally target vulnerable populations in their fraudulent schemes, they should anticipate we will always pursue justice vigorously on behalf of those we serve and protect” said North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Schurmeier.
According to court documents and information presented in court, Good was employed as a registered representative and investment advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC in Wilmington. From 2012 to February 2022, Good executed a scheme to obtain money through an investment fraud commonly known as a Ponzi scheme. Specifically, Good solicited investments from business clients and others for purported real estate projects and tax-free municipal bonds, touting these opportunities as low-risk investments that would pay returns of between 6% and 10% over three- or six-month terms.
To effectuate these investments, Good caused some clients to obtain a liquid asset line of credit (LAL) secured by their Morgan Stanley investment or retirement accounts. Good directed clients to transfer the LAL funds to their personal bank accounts and then wire the funds directly to Good’s own personal bank account. Other victims paid Good by paper check and wire transfers using funds derived from sources other than Morgan Stanley accounts.
At least 12 victims invested approximately $7,246,300 based on false statements and misrepresentations made by Good. Instead of investing in land development or bonds, Good used the money for personal expenditures including his Wilmington residence; a condominium in Florida; luxury vehicles including a Mercedes Benz, a Porsche Boxster, a Tesla Model 3, an Alpha Romeo Stelvio, and a Lexus RX350; fine dining; and vacations to Paris, France; Cinca Terra, Italy; Jackson, Wyoming; Las Vegas, Nevada; and other destinations. To lend credibility to the Ponzi scheme and to elude detection, Good also used a portion of investor funds to make payments to earlier investors.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge James C. Dever, III. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation Financial Crimes Unit investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan served as the prosecutor.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-00096-D.
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Armed Robber Sentenced to More Than 38 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Frank Giles McCree, of Fairmont, was sentenced today to 457 months in prison after four armed robberies of Robeson County businesses while wearing a wig of fake dreadlocks, a Jamaican style beanie and a dark hooded sweatshirt. On August 5, 2021, McCree was found guilty following a federal trial.
McCree was convicted of 13 separate charges, including four counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, four counts of Use and Carry of a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence and one count of Firearm by a Felon.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, McCree, 35, committed a series of robberies in Robeson County in June 2016. McCree robbed three different Family Dollar stores and one Dollar General store at gun point. McCree would pretend to make a purchase and would wait until the cash drawer was opened by a clerk and then would brandish a firearm. Threatening to shoot or kill the clerks, McCree would steal the entire drawer from the cash registers and demand that the clerks open the safes, from which he would also steal money. During two of the robberies, he also stole the store’s phone to make it more difficult to contact law enforcement and report the crimes.
On June 29, 2016, McCree was the passenger in a car that was pulled over for a traffic violation. The car also matched the description of the car leaving the scene of the first Family Dollar robbery. When law enforcement spoke to the driver and McCree, law enforcement noticed a dreadlock wig in the glove compartment. McCree and the driver were removed from the car. In the middle of the passenger floorboard, at McCree’s feet, was a loaded, .40 Hi-Point Firearm. Also located in the car was the distinct Jamaican style beanie identified as being worn by the robber. McCree was taken into custody following the traffic stop.
While in custody, McCree made a phone to a family member asking them to get in touch with his girlfriend to get rid of something under her bed. When law enforcement went to her home, they found a Family Dollar bag with change in it, in bank rolls consistent with how the Family Dollar gets its coins from the bank.
In an interview, McCree admitted possession of the firearm and said he had borrowed it from a friend for protection.
McCree was previously convicted on state charges. In 2007, McCree was convicted of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. In 2009, McCree was convicted of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Common Law Robbery also in 2009.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan presided over the trial and sentencing. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Rowland Police Department, Maxton Police Department, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and St. Pauls Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:17-cr-00134-FL-1.
Unrepentant Gang Member Who Led Police on High-Speed Chase Receives 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Veshon Lendell Shaw, aka “Play Maker”, 29, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute MDMA (Ecstasy) and marijuana. He pled guilty to the charges on February 13, 2022.
“This defendant led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and crashed into a police vehicle,” said U.S. Attorney Easley. “When apprehended, he bragged that he wasn’t afraid to spend time in prison. Today’s sentence makes the Wilmington community safer by putting him behind bars for the next 10 years.”
“Violent criminals have no place on our streets. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that those who are responsible for criminal activity are held accountable for their actions. We appreciate the partnerships we have with various agencies who helped us bring this case to a close. I am also grateful to the women and men of the Wilmington Police Department for their continued pursuit of justice to ensure a safe community for all,” said Chief Donny Williams.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on July 29, 2021, a Wilmington Police Officer attempted to stop a car driven by Shaw for a revoked license and a traffic violation. Shaw pulled into a parking lot in the Creekwood area of Wilmington then sped off at a high rate of speed onto North 30th street. Shaw’s car struck a law enforcement van on Market Street, and law enforcement was then able to box in Shaw’s car following this collision. Shaw exited the car and fled on foot but was ultimately apprehended. At the time of his arrest, Shaw was in possession of an ounce of MDMA and $1,200 cash. Law enforcement found a stolen 9mm handgun and marijuana in the car.
Following Shaw’s arrest, he told officers that he was not afraid to “sit down.” Law enforcement knew this to mean that Shaw was claiming that he was not afraid to serve a prison sentence. Shaw said that it would give him a chance to meet a new “plug” (a source of supply for drugs). According to law enforcement, Shaw was a member of the 720 Folk Nation Gang. Shaw has prior convictions for Selling a Controlled Substance (2012), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (2013), Common Law Robbery (2015), and Selling Heroin (2015).
This is part of operation “Golfer” which is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Hanover and Brunswick County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Wilmington Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo and Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:21-cr-00103-FL-1.
Nurse Who Stole Painkillers, Replacing Them with Saline and Putting Surgical Patients at Risk, Sentenced to Four YearsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A former Fuquay-Varina nurse was sentenced today to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for tampering with painkillers intended for surgery patients. On March 9, 2022, Melissa Elizabeth Chacona pled guilty to the charges.
“Surgical patients trust healthcare providers to give them the medicines they need. Ms. Chacona abused her position of trust to steal powerful prescription pain medications intended for surgical patients and replace them with saline,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “In delivering today’s sentence the judge noted that these patients were in the most vulnerable position. My office will continue to pursue healthcare providers whose crimes jeopardize public safety.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Chacona, 45, worked as a nurse at a Raleigh-area surgical practice. In early 2019, she began extracting the medication from vials of fentanyl, morphine, and meperidine and replacing it with saline. She did this for several months, compromising at least seventy-eight vials, including those intended for surgical patients. Testing revealed that compromised vials contained less than 15% of the actual medication and that the tampering had rendered multiple vials unsterile.
Chacona has also been convicted at the state level for diverting medication earlier in her nursing career. Her plea agreement requires permanent surrender of her nursing license.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration, Raleigh Police Department, and North Carolina Board of Nursing investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Partain Brown and Dennis Duffy prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-CR-488-D.
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Joint State and Federal Operation Seizes Kilograms of Drugs, Multiple Firearms, and Arrests Five in Southeastern N.C.Read the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, along with federal and local law enforcement, provided information related to ongoing and coordinated efforts to target drug distribution in Sampson and Duplin Counties. Last week, a joint operation took place with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), the Sampson, Duplin and New Hanover County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Jacksonville, Goldsboro, and Wilmington Police Departments. A primary objective of this operation was to target suspected armed drug dealers.
As part of the operation, search warrants and arrest warrants were executed at multiple locations in Duplin and Sampson counties and the following items were seized:
- Approximately eight pounds of suspected cocaine;
- Over four ounces of suspected fentanyl;
- Over an ounce of suspected crack cocaine;
- Drug packing materials;
- Drug distribution materials;
- Approximately $10,000 cash; and
- Multiple firearms and ammunition.
“Our office is working closely with our state and local partners to get illegal drugs and guns off the streets and put those fueling the drug epidemic behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are using every tool available to make our communities safer.”
Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton stated, “I am thankful for the cooperation of our federal and state partners in combating the drug epidemic. While these seizures don’t solve the problem, they send the message that this activity is not welcomed or tolerated in our community.”
“Drug trafficking too often fuels the violent crime law enforcement is working hard to address,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Disrupting these networks has a major impact on fighting violent gun crime.”
“Dangerous drugs have taken a terrible toll on our communities,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Drug traffickers should know they will face the consequences of their actions.”
According to court documents, on the same day the search warrants were executed, the following individuals were arrested on federal charges:
- Christopher Hill, 42, of Sampson County, distribution of methamphetamine;
- Cheri Boyette, 45, of Duplin County, distribution of methamphetamine;
- Peyton McBride, 42, of Sampson County distribution of cocaine;
- Rashawn Ray McDuffie, 43, of Duplin County, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine;
- Dennis Ray Taylor, 57, of Duplin County, distribution of methamphetamine.
An indictment/criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Wendell Armed Robber Targeting Aldi Grocery Stores Sentenced to Nearly 30 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. –Lionel Robinson, 43, of Wendell, was sentenced to 356 months in prison for a string of armed robberies targeting Aldi stores across Eastern North Carolina between January and March of 2019. In October of 2022, a jury convicted Robinson for two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
“This defendant engaged in violent behavior in a grocery store where families do their shopping,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Through a collaborative investigation between state, local and federal partners, we took a dangerous criminal off the street, and placed him behind bars for nearly 30 years. This sentence should serve as a deterrent to those that are engaged in violence in our communities.”
From January 2019 until March 2019, Robinson, sometimes with an accomplice, targeted Aldi stores in Lexington, Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Winterville, Indian Trail, and Kernersville, North Carolina. Robinson would ring the back doorbell to the Aldi pretending to be a delivery driver. When an employee would answer the door, he would force his way inside, holding the employee at gunpoint and make them take him to the manager’s office where the store’s safe was located. He would keep the gun pointed at the employee while giving directions to open the safe. Robinson wore disguises, including masks, gloves, and reflective vests. When law enforcement identified Lionel Robinson as a suspect, they executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered evidence relevant to the robberies, including gloves and clothing consistent with what was used in the robbery, rolled coins similar to what Aldi stores would have, and the suspect vehicle that was observed on camera. They also recovered a large quantity of ammunition.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Rocky Mount Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Kernersville Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Rhoades and Yasir Sadat prosecuted and tried the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00017-FL.
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Ten-Time Felon Sentenced to 20 Years for Selling Heroin and Fentanyl and Possessing GunsRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Fayetteville, North Carolina man who now has ten felony convictions was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for drug conspiracy charges involving heroin and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. On October 4, 2022, Kennard Fisher pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in September 2019, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office determined that Fisher, 46, was distributing fentanyl and heroin from his home. Officers executed a search warrant at the home and found fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, three guns, including a Glock 17 9mm, and nearly $2,000 in cash. When officers arrested Fisher on federal charges in December 2020, they found more heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and another gun in the same home. Fisher has nine prior state felony convictions, including six convictions for drug trafficking or firearms offenses.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Webb and Nicholas Hartigan prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-537.
Fentanyl Dealer Gets More Than 24 Years for Selling Fentanyl that Resulted in Young Man’s Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A fentanyl dealer was sentenced today to 292 months in federal prison for distributing a mixture and substance containing cyclopropyl fentanyl that killed a 20-year-old. Shamel Nesbitt, 32, was convicted by a jury on the charge on August 31, 2022. Nesbitt was living in Smithfield at the time the crime was committed.
“Fentanyl is killing Americans in record numbers and shortening American life expectancy,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Our overdose crisis won’t be solved by prosecution alone, but sentences like this are a warning to drug pushers who lace fentanyl into their supply. Those who cause death will face severe consequences.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Shamel Nesbitt was investigated in November 2017 by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office for the distribution of cyclopropyl fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, where death resulted. The investigation began on November 19, 2017, after Lucas Urbina, 20, was rushed to the hospital by several friends after using a controlled substance and overdosing. A second friend of Urbina’s also suffered an overdose from using the same substance. At that time, hospital staff were able to resuscitate both Urbina and his friend. Urbina’s friend regained consciousness and became stable after a short period of time. He left the hospital and was approached by law enforcement when he was attempting to get into a vehicle. He was searched and law enforcement discovered he had a bag of suspected narcotics along with two syringes.
While Urbina was revived, he never regained consciousness. Urbina died on November 22, 2017.
Samples of Urbina’s blood taken upon admission to the hospital were sent to the toxicology section of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to see what substances were present. Test results showed a lethal level of cyclopropyl fentanyl. Urbina also had low levels of morphine and clonazepam in his blood. His death was ruled an accidental overdose.
Law enforcement immediately began investigating to determine who distributed the narcotics to Urbina and his friends. Text messages and dialed phone numbers showed Urbina was reaching out to someone listed as “Mista” in his phone. Officers were able to quickly link the number to Shamel Nesbitt who had given it to law enforcement as his number when he was cited for a traffic violation a few months earlier. Law enforcement was able to access Urbina’s Facebook account and saw he was communicating with another Facebook user with a name of “Chris Nesbitt.” In the Facebook messages between Urbina and Nesbitt, it was clear Urbina was attempting to buy drugs from Nesbitt. Officers got a search warrant for Nesbitt’s Facebook page. They noticed pictures posted by “Chris Nesbitt” were of Shamel Nesbitt. Multiple messages on Nesbitt’s Facebook page reference him by the nickname “Mista.” Law enforcement received a search warrant for Nesbitt’s home and found heroin package material, nitrile gloves and marijuana.
Nesbitt made statements to law enforcement that he saw Urbina that day but claimed that he didn’t sell him any narcotics.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle presided over the trial. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson and Brandon Boykin prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00226-BO.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: U.S. Attorney’s Office to Host Elder Justice Initiative on Friday in GarnerRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina is hosting a lunch and learn event to ‘Build Strong Support for Older Americans by Learning More about Elder Abuse.’ The event is sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Garner Senior Center, and Meals on Wheels. Registration for the event is not required.
WHERE: Garner Senior Center, 205 East Garner Road, Garner, NC 27529
WHEN: Friday, May 19, 2023, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Meals on Wheels will serve lunch beginning at 10:45)
Media: please arrive at the Garner Senior Center by 11:00 for set up.
For logistical information in advance of the media availability, please contact Don Connelly at [email protected].
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Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to 12 Months for Bribery and Contraband SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Kamel Smallwood, 28, of Greenville, was recently sentenced to 12 months in prison for accepting a bribe as a public official and aiding and abetting. Smallwood was one of four former employees of Rivers Federal Correctional Institution (Rivers CI), in Winton, to be charged in a five-count indictment on March 2, 2022. She pled guilty to the charge on July 6, 2022.
“Public corruption undermines the rule of law and, when it arises in our prisons, endangers corrections officers, staff, and the public,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Smallwood and Sykes put their greed for short term profits ahead of their oath to the public. We are partnering with the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General to investigate and prosecute corrupt correction officers like these who smuggle contraband into our federal prisons.”
“Smallwood’s actions undermined the safety and security of the Rivers Federal Correctional Institution. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to rooting out these kinds of bribery schemes and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” said Russell W. Cunningham Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office.
According to court records and statements made during hearings, in 2019, a former correctional officer at Rivers CI provided the names of several other Rivers CI employees that she believed were bringing contraband into the prison.
Based on that information, investigators obtained records from CashApp, a mobile application, for individuals including Smallwood and co-defendant Twonisha Sykes. These showed that between March 2 and March 12, 2019, Smallwood had four transactions or attempted transactions with user “Rico,” an account later confirmed to belong to Rivers CI inmate Francois Toure. Law enforcement identified a variety of other transactions in which inmates or friends, or family of inmates transferred money to Smallwood. In total, these transactions accounted for well over $10,000. Records showed that Sykes also received numerous CashApp payments from inmate Toure. In one instance, 10 minutes after Sykes received a $1,200 payment from Toure, she paid the same amount to Smallwood.
Sykes admitted during a December 2019 interview that she introduced Smallwood to inmate Toure. Toure then began paying Smallwood to smuggle cigarettes into the prison. Sykes estimated that Smallwood brought in cigarettes four times, each time plastic wrapped to her body. Sykes admitted that inmate Toure gave her the money to pay Smallwood for the contraband because Smallwood at first preferred not to deal directly with Toure.
In March 2020, agents interviewed Francois Toure. He confirmed that he gave Sykes money to transfer to Smallwood in payment for Smallwood bringing in cigarettes. He estimated that Smallwood brought in cigarettes on two occasions, with two or three cartons each time. He said that they arranged for Smallwood to make drops in bathrooms. He further stated that Smallwood began dealing with another inmate once Toure was sent to the special housing unit for disciplinary reasons. CashApp records for Smallwood included a memo that bore the second inmate’s name.
Co-defendant Sykes was sentenced on March 1, 2023 and received a day of custody and three years of supervised release.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-0003-FL-001.
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Convicted Fayetteville Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Jarrell Raeshon Bordeaux was sentenced to 248 months in prison for 13 drug trafficking and firearm charges. Bordeaux was convicted by a federal jury in January of this year. According to court records and evidence presented in court, Bordeaux sold ounces of fentanyl and heroin to a confidential informant 10 times. During the drug deals, he bragged about how successful he was at selling drugs and the steps he took to keep from being caught.
“Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant recklessly stored fentanyl and stolen guns in the same room where his seven-year-old played. We are proudly partnering with local law enforcement to put narcotics traffickers like Bordeaux behind bars where they belong.”
Following the controlled purchases, officers executed search warrants at two locations used by Bordeaux to distribute drugs. At his house, officers found his seven-year-old son playing video games in the same room as 200 grams (seven ounces) of fentanyl and heroin and two loaded handguns that were stolen. At another location, officers seized three more handguns along with tools and packaging Bordeaux used to distribute drugs.
At sentencing, the Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II emphasized the danger and harm caused by fentanyl and armed drug trafficking across the United States, and specifically in communities like Fayetteville. Chief Judge Myers also noted that Bordeaux ignored these risks by storing fentanyl and loaded guns in his own child’s room.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Fayetteville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Lemons and Nick Hartigan prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:20-cr-00428-M.
Raleigh Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Her Real Estate Business to Fraudulently Obtain PPP LoanRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Shakeerah Kaneisha Yvette Vinson, 32, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loan for her real estate broker business. She faces up to 20 years in prison.
“This defendant, along with her network of co-conspirators, took taxpayer money meant to help struggling small businesses during a global pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are investigating and prosecuting those who steal from public programs intended to keep legitimate businesses afloat.”
According to the charged criminal information, the defendant conspired with Edward Whitaker, Schunda Coleman, and others to obtain a fraudulent PPP loan on behalf of Vinson’s business. Whitaker and Coleman pled guilty on January 19, 2023 for their role in operating a nation-wide scheme to help people across the country commit millions of dollars of PPP fraud.
According to charging documents and information summarized in court, Whitaker and Coleman created fraudulent supporting documents and applications for the PPP loan which they provided to Vinson in exchange for 25% of the total loan proceeds. The fraudulent application falsified the number of employees and gross wages being paid prior to the COVID pandemic, in order to help qualify for the PPP loan. Following the disbursement of the PPP loans, Whitaker instructed Vinson as to how to make it appear that the PPP loans were being paid out to employees, when in reality the money was transferred back to Vinson. The fraudulent payroll records were then submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain 100% loan forgiveness.
Late last year, Quentin Jackson pled guilty in the same conspiracy which included the recruitment of numerous individuals in the Eastern District of North Carolina to use Whitaker and Coleman to obtain fraudulent PPP funds.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge in the Charlotte Field Office. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were economically suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act and additional appropriations authorized up to $649 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Financial institutions issued the PPP loans, which were guaranteed by the SBA.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after United States Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II accepted the plea. Sentencing will occur before United States District Judge James C. Dever III later this year. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00027-D.
Raleigh Man Receives More Than 10 years in Federal Prison for Distributing Kilograms of Methamphetamine to Eastern North CarolinaRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Alphonso Lewis, 47, of Raleigh, was sentenced to 121 months for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, evidence presented in court, and other documents, on April 22, 2022, a Sampson County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Lewis’s car for a traffic violation on Interstate 40. During the traffic stop, the deputy observed the odor of marijuana and a package that had been mailed from McAllen, Texas to Knightdale, North Carolina. The deputy knew from his training and experience in drug interdiction that McAllen, Texas was a source city for drugs. The deputy also observed the unusual behavior that Lewis continued to grab and eat chicken wings while he was speaking with him. The deputy had probable cause to open the package and found 901 grams of pure methamphetamine and 350 grams of marijuana. During the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that Lewis had distributed more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine to Eastern North Carolina from 2021 until his federal arrest in August 2022. Law enforcement received information that some of the methamphetamine was being provided by a Blood gang member in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“Our office is proud to support our local law enforcement partners like Sampson County Sheriff’s Office in their battle to eliminate narcotics trafficking in their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to go after people peddling this poison and should serve as a warning to those considering doing the same.”
“The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office is proud of its partnership with many federal agencies, including the US Attorney Office. Our agency has been proactive in seeking out and apprehending drug criminals. Many such drug peddlers have been located along Interstate 40 in our county. These proactive efforts by our officers and the partnerships with federal agencies are proof that teamwork can help further rid our communities of dangerous drugs and criminals,” said Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and Sampson and Duplin County Sheriffs’ Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-cr-00051-M-KS-1.
Onslow County Man Involved in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Abdul Sanderlin, 29, of Onslow County, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in multiple states.
According to court documents, evidence presented in court, and other documents, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office received information that Sanderlin was involved in the distribution of narcotics between New Jersey and Sneads Ferry, North Carolina.
On August 27, 2020, an undercover DEA task force officer made a controlled purchased of a half an ounce of methamphetamine from Sanderlin. Law enforcement observed Sanderlin leaving his apartment in Sneads Ferry prior to him making the deal. Later law enforcement served a search warrant on the residence, and recovered 46 grams of methamphetamine, more than 2,000 bags of suspected heroin, paraphernalia associated with drug distribution and more than $17,000.
On January 26, 2023, Sanderlin pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Sanderlin has previously been convicted in New Jersey state court of manufacturing or distributing a controlled dangerous substance or intent to manufacture (2012), felony unlawful possession of a handgun (2014), manufacturing or distributing a controlled dangerous substance or intent to manufacture (2018).
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Onslow County Sheriffs’ Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-00082-D.
Man Who Applied for Covid-19 Relief Money for Fake Trucking Company Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Leland, North Carolina man, Joseph Alexander Casillas, was sentenced today to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On February 16, 2023, Casillas pleaded guilty to the charge. As part of the judgment, Casillas was also ordered to pay $92,734 in criminal restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Casillas fraudulently applied for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in March and April 2021 in furtherance of a conspiracy to defraud the government. The PPP program was created by the CARES Act in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to American small businesses that were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the PPP program, businesses could apply for forgivable loans to retain jobs and pay certain qualifying expenses. In order to obtain a PPP loan, the business was required to make certain disclosures and certifications regarding its operations and acknowledge program rules. The business was also required to provide documentation to support its alleged payroll expenses.
As part of the scheme, Casillas submitted two false and fraudulent PPP loan applications, each of which requested over $20,000. In the applications, Casillas falsely stated that he was the sole proprietor of a longstanding trucking business that was incurring nearly $100,000 in annual payroll costs. Among other things, to substantiate his claims, Casillas provided the lender with a fraudulent 2019 tax record. In reality the company did not exist.
Michael Easley, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The United States Secret Service, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted the case for the government.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-132-D.
High-Ranking Wilmington Gang Leader Convicted for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a high-ranking Bloods gang leader from Wilmington on charges of trafficking heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
Don Eugene Nixon, Jr., age 48, was convicted on eight counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, distribution of heroin and fentanyl, and possession with the intent to distribute heroin. Nixon faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on each count when sentenced later this year, for a total possible sentence of up to 320 years imprisonment.
“The gangs pushing deadly fentanyl in our community have a role in fueling the deadliest drug epidemic our country has ever seen,” said U.S Attorney Michael Easley. “Our office is partnering with law enforcement at every level to fight the fentanyl epidemic and put drug traffickers behind bars.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, a months-long investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Wilmington Police Department resulted in six controlled purchases of large quantities of drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, from Nixon. Nixon would deliver the drugs to the informant pressed into a square block shape, tightly wrapped with black electrical tape. In addition, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Nixon’s home and seized 131 grams of heroin and three handguns.
Trial testimony established that Nixon was a large-scale heroin dealer who operated well over a decade in Eastern North Carolina. Additionally, his rank in and reach within the Bloods gang made it difficult to investigate and prosecute his crimes. Witnesses refused to testify due to the threats they faced. Witnesses who did assist in the investigation have had to relocate and are receiving federal protection.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III accepted the verdict. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wilmington Police Department are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad Knott and Jimmie Bellamy are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.7:21-CR-00071.
Goldsboro Drug Dealer Sentenced to 21 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Johnathan Aquavious Heath, a/k/a “Booty,” age 43, of Goldsboro was sentenced to 252 months in prison for his leadership role in a drug trafficking organization bringing significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, heroin, and fentanyl in the Goldsboro area.
“There are serious consequences for those that are trafficking dangerous and deadly narcotics in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant will be spending the next twenty-plus years behind bars for his crimes.”
According to court documents and information presented in court, in 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Wilmington, North Carolina received information that Heath was a leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in Goldsboro and distributing significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, powder cocaine, and cocaine base (crack). Based on the investigation, law enforcement learned that Heath maintained several “trap houses” or “stash houses” in Goldsboro and employed people to run the stash houses and he also employed runners, often times drug users, to hand deliver drugs.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement gathered information regarding this organization from multiple confidential sources and cooperating defendants, conducted surveillance, and also conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from Heath, as well as those working for him. Over the course of the conspiracy, Heath was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 119.54 grams of cocaine, 401.62 grams cocaine base, 373.608 grams of actual methamphetamine, 1,500 grams of heroin, and 1,474.18 grams of fentanyl. On June 7, 2022, Heath pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute Fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms or More of Cocaine, and 280 grams or More of Cocaine Base and Distribution of Fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine.
Four additional defendants have previously been charged and convicted in this investigation:
- Aratika Omhaya Anderson, a/k/a “Tika” (5:21-CR-314-M-2): pled guilty on October 19, 2021, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute Fifty (50) Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 5 grams or More of Methamphetamine, aiding and abetting and was sentenced to 88 months in prison.
- Victoria Christine Taylor (5:21-CR-314-M-3): pled guilty on March 8, 2022, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute a quantity of crack cocaine and was sentenced to 80 months in prison.
- Richard Ronald Harris, III (5:21-CR-314-M-5): pled guilty on October 6, 2021, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute Fifty (50) Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Distribution of Five Grams or more of Methamphetamine, Aiding and Abetting. Harris was sentenced to 70 months in prison.
- Lelia Inez Harris (5:21-CR-314-M-5): pled guilty on November 16, 2021, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute Five (5) Grams or More of Methamphetamine, Distribution of Five Grams or more of Methamphetamine, Aiding and Abetting. Harris was sentenced to 55 months in prison.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Wilmington, North Carolina and the Goldsboro Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:21-CR-00314-M.