FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TUESDAY - August 19, 2008

KENLY MAN DEEMED CAREER OFFENDER AND RECEIVES 22 YEARS
IN PRISON FOR DRUG CHARGE

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced ANTHONY ANTONIO SHEPARD, 34, of Kenly, North Carolina, to 264 months’ imprisonment followed by five years supervised release. Judge Dever also imposed restitution in the amount of $500.00.

A Criminal Information was filed on August 9, 2007 charging aiding and abetting another in the distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base (crack). On September 10, 2007, SHEPARD pled guilty to the charge. On October 25, 2006, law enforcement arranged the controlled purchase a ½ ounce of cocaine base with co-defendant Matthew Brent Fields. SHEPARD accompanied Fields to the buy. Upon returning to the staging area it was learned that only 5.5 grams had been provided. Following a phone call made to Fields complaining that they had been shorted, another location was arranged, where Fields and SHEPARD provided 48.7 grams of cocaine base.

Because of SHEPARD’s past criminal history, which includes possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession of stolen goods/property, simple assault, resisting a public officer, sell of cocaine, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, assault on a female, and assault inflicting serious injury, he was deemed a career offender.

This case is part of an Eastforce investigation entitled Cold Wind, in which approximately 18 defendants have been prosecuted for drug and gun related violations.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Nash County Sheriff’s Department, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department and the Wilson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes 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.