FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - October 15, 2008

KNIGHTDALE WOMAN SENTENCED TO OVER 10 YEARS FOR DRUG CHARGE

NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced SAUNDRA DEAN EVANS, 37, of Knightdale, North Carolina, to 128 months’ imprisonment followed by five years supervised release.

A Criminal Information was filed on May 28, 2008, charging aiding and abetting the distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack). On July 8, 2008, EVANS pled guilty to the charge. In October, 2007, the Knightdale Police Department received information regarding drug activity at the residence of EVANS and co-defendant McKinley Shondell Jones. On October 3, 2007, a search warrant was issued and executed on the residence. Recovered in the search was 135 grams of crack cocaine, $76,741 in currency, and two stolen semi-automatic firearms.

Mr. Holding stated, “Once again we see an example of the penalties and results of armed drug trafficking. The Court’s sentence is part of our continuing message: ‘Drug trafficking does not pay.’ My office will continue to bring these cases and seek long sentences until those who would become involved in these crimes get this message.”

Investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Marshals Service, Wake County Sheriff’s Office and the Knightdale 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.