|
|
News
Release [print friendly page] Federal Jury Finds Wilson Man Guilty of Firearm and Drugs Charges
SEP 23 -- NEW BERN, NC - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on September 3, 2009, CARLTON BRONTA MAY, 34, of Wilson, North Carolina, was convicted on all five counts of the Indictment, which charged (Count 1) conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846; (Count 2) distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base (crack), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); (Count 3) possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (crack), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); (Count 4) unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); and (Count 5) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on November 6, 2008. According to evidence presented at trial, after receiving numerous complaints regarding the sale of illegal drugs out of a residence on Old Statonburg Road, deputies performed a controlled purchase of approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine from MAY at the residence. On April 24, 2008, a search warrant was obtained and executed on the residence. As officers began the search they heard the toilet flush and believed MAY had flushed drugs down the toilet in order to dispose of them to avoid detection during the search. An officer went underneath the residence and broke open plumbing pipes. Two clear plastic bags containing 36.3 grams of crack cocaine came out of the pipes. Three guns, a Hi-point .40 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Rossi .38 caliber revolver and a Norinco SKS Assault rifle, were recovered from the residence, as well as $17,181 in US Currency and two sets of digital scales which were located in a closet safe. In addition, MAY admitted that he had been involved in selling drugs in the area for 8 to 10 years and that he had sold over three kilograms of crack cocaine since the beginning of 2008. Commenting on the jury verdict, Mr. Holding said, “We are gratified by the jury’s verdict. The investigation of this case and the decision of the jury effectively ends a 10-year drug trafficking career for the defendant. The Wilson community will be a better and more secure place because of this effort.” The maximum penalties are as follows: For Count 1 – Up to life imprisonment followed by up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $4,000,000. For Counts 2 and 3 – Up to 40 years imprisonment followed by up to four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2,000,000. For Count 4 – Up to 10 years imprisonment followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. If deemed an Armed Career Criminal, the term of imprisonment increases to life imprisonment. For Count 5 – Up to life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed, followed by at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the Wilson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells represented the government. Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. ### |
