FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THURSDAY - January 8, 2009

ELIZABETH CITY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGE

NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday JERVON WONDELL MCGILBERRY, 26, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of cocaine base (crack), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), before Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on February 27, 2008. On September 21, 2007, while conducting surveillance, an officer with the Elizabeth City Police Department witnessed MCGILBERRY make several hand-to-hand drug transactions with various vehicles. As a vehicle came into the area, MCGILBERRY would approach the car and the drugs and money would be exchanged, MCGILBERRY would pocket the money and always return to his vehicle after each transaction to obtain more drugs. Law enforcement searched the defendant and the vehicle. On the defendant, $731 was found. A set of digital scales and 30.2 grams of crack was found in the vehicle.

Mr. Holding commented: “One of the important services drug investigators perform is the elimination of open-air sales. This is part of our continuing effort to make drug sales more difficult. As such, I commend the officers who conducted the investigation of the case.”

The maximum penalty for the offense is up to 40 years imprisonment followed by up to four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2,000,000.

This investigation was part of Operation Nip/Tuck in which gang-related criminal activities in Elizabeth City were the focus.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Elizabeth City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Denise Walker served as prosecutor for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.