FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FRIDAY - January 4, 2008

WILMINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO 200 MONTHS FOR HEROIN DISTRIBUTION

WILMINGTON - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that in federal court United States District Judge James C. Fox sentenced WILLIE JAMES PEARSON, 46, of Wilmington, North Carolina, to 200 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and imposed a fine of $9,050.00.

On September 4, 2007, PEARSON pled guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin. On January 10, 2007, Wilmington Police arranged a controlled buy of 30 bindles of heroin. When law enforcement arrived at the designated place for the purchase, PEARSON was observed dropping a cup that contained food and 17 bindles of heroin. A search of the car revealed an additional 20 bindles of heroin in the map compartment on the passenger side.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Wilmington Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo was prosecution 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.