Tag Archive for: #usattorneysofficeeasterndistrictnc

Henderson Man Gets 11.5 Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking

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– press release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley, Jr.

A Henderson man was sentenced to 138 months in prison for armed drug trafficking. On August 15, 2024, Cedric Neal pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Neal, 38, was previously sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.  He was released from federal prison on July 27, 2022, and was placed on supervised release for five years.  By January 2023, investigators received a tip that Neal—while on supervised release—had resumed drug trafficking activities.

Investigators conducted seven controlled purchases of crack, fentanyl, or both from Neal, then executed search warrants at three locations associated with him.  The search warrants yielded fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana, and numerous firearms.  Ultimately, Neal was held accountable for 1,205 grams of marijuana, 451 grams of cocaine, 288 grams of fentanyl, nine grams of cocaine base, and five firearms.

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

Henderson Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison On Drugs, Weapons Charges

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-information courtesy of the office of Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney Michael Easley

A Henderson man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and possession of firearms, including a firearm loaded with a large capacity magazine, and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina praised the efforts of local police for their help in the case.

Tyrik Pettaway, 21, pled guilty in July 2023 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, according to information released Monday by the Eastern District office of U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.

“The unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of the Henderson Police Department have been instrumental in upholding justice and ensuring the safety of our community,” Easley said in the press statement. “Their exemplary commitment to teamwork among state and federal law enforcement is commendable and emboldens public trust in our justice system.”

“Our collaboration with the Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to benefit our community,” commented Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. “The efforts of all involved are evident. I am hopeful this sentence gives pause to those in our community walking a similar path.”

 

According to court documents and other information presented in court, after receiving multiple reports that Pettaway and Neno King were dealing drugs, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of suspected heroin containing fentanyl from Pettaway and King in the spring of 2022. In March 2022, agents executed a search warrant at a residence used by Pettaway in Henderson where they recovered a firearm with a large capacity magazine and approximately 1,100 dosage units of a substance containing fentanyl, rifle ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Pettaway has prior felony convictions for possession of a stolen firearm (2020), possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin (2020 and 2021), and breaking and entering to terrorize (2020). King pled guilty to drug trafficking and gun charges in March 2023 and was sentenced in August to 180 months in prison.

 

Kittrell Man Gets 15-Year Prison Term For 2019 Bank Robberies

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A Kittrell man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for his role in two bank robberies in 2019.

Cameron Evans, 27, was sentenced to 185 months in prison, having been convicted along with three other men for the robbery of a SunTrust bank in Raleigh and a BB&T in Greenville, , according to information from the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court records and other information presented in court, On Dec. 6, 2019, the SunTrust bank located at 7320 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh, was robbed at gunpoint by four men. The men left the bank with approximately $11,578.00 and witnesses saw them fleeing the scene in a white Hyundai Elantra. On Dec. 30, 2019, around 4:30 p.m., the Branch Bank & Trust (BB&T) located 2475 Stantonsburg Road in Greenville was robbed at gunpoint by three men. They left the bank with $72,853 and witnesses saw them flee the scene in a white Hyundai Elantra. Law enforcement was able to obtain the registration number from the vehicle which enabled them to find Evans and his codefendants.

In an interview with law enforcement, Evans would admit to committing the SunTrust and BB&T bank robberies. The codefendants in this case were Clifton Harris, Stanley Kearney Jr. and Joshua Bailey. All three have pled guilty. Harris was sentenced to 81 months and Kearney was sentenced to 190 months.  Bailey is awaiting sentencing.

Kittrell Man Sentenced In 2019 Bank Robberies

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A Kittrell man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for his role in two bank robberies in 2019.

Stanley Kearney Jr., 27, was sentenced to 190 months earlier this week, according to information from the office of Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The SunTrust bank on Creedmoor Road in Raleigh was robbed at gunpoint by four men on Dec. 6, 2019, according to court records and other information. The men left the bank with $11,578. Witnesses saw the suspects fleeing he scene in a white Hyundai Elantra.

Then, on Dec. 30, a Greenville, N.C. Branch Banking & Trust was robbed at gunpoint by three men. They took $72,853, according to a press statement from Easley’s office, and also left in a white Hyundai Elantra.

Kearney was stopped on Jan. 10, 2020, for unrelated traffic violations and attempted to flee from law enforcement. In an interview with law enforcement, Kearney admitted to committing the SunTrust and BB&T bank robberies. Co-defendants Clifton Harris, Cameron Evans and Joshua Bailey also pled guilty. Harris was sentenced to 81 months. Evans and Bailey are awaiting sentencing.

Easley’s office made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Davie County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Raleigh, Greenville and Mebane police departments and Federal Bureau of Investigation all assisted in the investigation of the case.

US Attorney’s Office Gets Guns Off the Streets In 2022

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-information courtesy of the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has announced that, as a result of litigation efforts during 2022, at least 280 illegally owned, possessed, used or obtained firearms were forfeited.

“Getting illegal guns out of the hands of the most dangerous felons helps make our communities safer,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “I am proud of the strong partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement to get these guns off the street, so they are not used to commit future crimes.”

Firearms that are criminally forfeited are removed from the possession of a convicted criminal defendant and relinquished to the government for disposal, including potentially the return of the firearm to a rightful owner, the press release stated.

Since the start of 2022, EDNC charged about 278 defendants with federal firearms offenses, including “possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and straw purchasing of a firearm.”

These prosecutions are a result of close cooperation between prosecutors and partners at federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations. EDNC also partners with the State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, and local police and sheriffs across the district, which includes Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties.

EDNC’s efforts to seize and forfeit illegal firearms in 2022 was the result of multiple investigative and prosecutorial efforts, including the Project Safe Neighborhood and the Violent Crime Action Plan initiative, which are collaborative efforts with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces whose purpose is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, which are primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

“ATF’s top priority is preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands,” stated Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “That effort is strongly supported by our local and state law enforcement partners and our federal prosecutors. Through our collaborative efforts, we’re working hard to prevent illegal purchases, firearms trafficking and firearms thefts. Keeping firearms out of the hands of prohibited individuals is key to building and maintaining safer communities.”

“Every day, the FBI works tirelessly with law enforcement partners across North Carolina to combat violent crime. Seizing guns from convicted felons is one step closer to making our communities safer,” said Michael C. Scherck, the FBI’s acting special agent in charge in Charlotte.

“DEA and its law enforcement partners want to send a stern warning that the distribution of dangerous drugs in association with gun violence presents a clear and present danger to the community,” said Robert J. Murphy, DEA’s special agent in charge in the Atlanta field division. “This dangerous lifestyle has led many to face serious prison time as a consequence.”

“Finding and confiscating illegal weapons from dangerous criminals not only protects our communities, but it also protects the law enforcement community as we do our jobs,” said Ronnie Martinez, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Charlotte that covers North and South Carolina. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities.”

Butner Inmate Gets 20 Months For 2020 Escape Attempt

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-information courtesy of the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of NC

A federal inmate has been sentenced to 30 months for attempting to escape from the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner back in 2020.

According to court documents, Charles Asher, 62, an inmate at FCI Butner at the time of the offense, was found hiding in the bushes – and not in his designated housing unit, as required – on the compound at about 9 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2020, near the exit door of the institution.

“Asher was found with multiple unauthorized items that could be used to effectuate an escape, including: a homemade rope approximately 14 feet in length, gray gloves, a blue mattress cover, and a homemade cardboard replica handgun wrapped with black electrical tape,” according to a press statement from the office of Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Asher had pleaded guilty in June 2022 to the sole count of attempted escape from prison and U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced Asher.

Man Gets 120-Month Prison Term For Shooting At Warren Deputy

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-information courtesy of the Eastern District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office

A man who shot at a Warren County Sheriff’s deputy was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to 120 months’ imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Rodriguez Crudup pled guilty to charges that stemmed from an incident on Dec. 28, 2021 at a Warrenton residence. The deputy was responding to a domestic disturbance call, according to information from the office of U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.

“The deputy was advised that Crudup, who was at the residence, took the victim’s loaded firearm and ran from the residence into the woods. The deputy heard Crudup running in the woods and ran towards the area identifying himself as a Warren County Sheriff’s Officer.  At this time a single shot was discharged by the defendant and the deputy heard the crack of a projectile pass over his head,” the statement read.

The deputy took cover at his vehicle and called for additional units. Crudup was later arrested and the gun was found in the woods.  An assessment of the firearm revealed that the gun had jammed after the first round was discharged.

Crudup’s prior convictions include breaking and entering, and two prior convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Judge James C. Dever rejected the defendant’s arguments that this was an accidental discharge and found the defendant intentionally fired his weapon at a law enforcement officer. The defendant was sentenced to the maximum sentence he could receive.

“We stand with and will protect law enforcement who respond to dangerous situations.  Our office will continue to prosecute armed felons who threaten our community,” Easley said in the statement announcing the sentencing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jane J. Jackson  and Yasir Sadat prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  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.

Butner Inmate Sentenced After Assaulting, Injuring Officer

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  • Information courtesy of the U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of North Carolina

An inmate at FMC Butner was sentenced to 114 months in prison for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer at the Federal Medical Center in Butner. The inmate had pled guilty to the charge earlier this year.

According to court documents, Michael Anthony Mata, 47, an inmate at FMC Butner at the time of the offense, struck the law enforcement officer in the face after the officer told him he was in an unauthorized area and asked him to return to his assigned housing unit.  As a result of the contact, the officer suffered a severe fracture to his left orbital wall that required surgical repair.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said, “The brave men and women who put themselves on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe, have the well-deserved support of our Office. We will vigorously prosecute anyone who assaults a correctional officer, or any other law enforcement personnel, and seek a firm punishment to deter others who may be inclined to do the same.”

Citing Mata’s extensive criminal history and the severity of the assault, U.S. Federal District Court Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Mata to 114 months in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Brooks Storus prosecuted the case.

 

Michael Easley, Jr. Sworn In As U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of NC

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Michael F. Easley, Jr. is the newest U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. His nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Nov. 19, 2021 and U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III administered the oath of office last week, according to a press statement.

 “It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the Eastern District of North Carolina as United States Attorney,” Easley said in the statement. “I am grateful to President Biden for this opportunity, and I want to thank Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis for their strong support through the confirmation process.”

As U.S. Attorney, Easley is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties among the 44 easternmost counties of North Carolina. He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel.  The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics.  The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

Easley was a partner in McGuire Woods LLP prior to his appointment and was a litigator focused on internal investigations and trial court work in state and federal courts.  He represented businesses and individuals in civil, criminal, and regulatory matters over a wide range of topics, including criminal law, environmental, consumer protection, business torts, professional negligence, government contracting, as well as matters involving financial services and securities.

Easley also has advised clients facing inquiries by the U.S. Department of Justice, North Carolina Ethics Commission, and matters before other governmental regulatory bodies.

Born in Southport, Easley attended the University of North Carolina where he graduated with honors and distinction in political science. He later received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

In addition to his work at McGuireWoods, Easley contributed time to various bar and community organizations.  He served as a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of North Carolina.  He was also a member of the Criminal Justice Section Council and the Integration, Equity & Equal Justice Task Force of the North Carolina Bar Association. Mr. Easley also served as a mentor in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Success in Law School Mentoring Program.

Former FCI Butner Correctional Officer Indicted on Bribery and Smuggling Contraband Charges

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Press Release –

A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week, charging a Cameron man with Bribery, Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband into a Prison, and Introducing Contraband.

“Contraband in prisons is one of the greatest threats to both inmates and correctional officers,” stated Acting United States Attorney G. Norman Acker, III. “This indictment seeks to hold a correctional officer who allegedly violated the trust of his peers by conspiring with inmates to introduce contraband to the prison. My office will always prosecute those who endanger lives and disrupt the good order and discipline within our correctional institutions.”

“When correctional officers smuggle contraband into prisons, they jeopardize the safety of the very institutions they are charged with protecting. The OIG is committed to investigating this type of behavior,” said Russell Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office.

According to the indictment, Casey Covington, 45, a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, conspired with three inmates to smuggle cell phones into the prison. Covington is also accused of accepting bribes in exchange for smuggling in the cell phones and other contraband, including marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol.

According to the indictment, inmates Christopher Lee Davis, 36, Antonio Demond Byers, 40, and Robert Henry Huitt, 32, were also each charged with conspiring with Covington and possessing cell phones in prison.

If convicted, Covington faces 15 years in prison, and Davis, Byers, and Huitt each face up to 1 year in prison.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.