FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THURSDAY - May 6, 2010
THREE SENTENCED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY
RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on May 4, 2010, three defendants were sentenced that were involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy. ANTONIO JERMAINE MOORE, 29, of Lillington, North Carolina, was sentenced to 264 months’ imprisonment. JOSHUA JULIUS COLE, 23, of Sanford, North Carolina, received 174 months’ imprisonment. JONATHAN MCLEAN, 25, also of Lillington, North Carolina, received 156 months’ imprisonment.
A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on November 5, 2009. On January 25, 2010, each defendant pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, MOORE pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As part of an investigation into the illegal drug trafficking activities in Harnett County, between December, 2008, and January, 2009, controlled purchases were made. Through the investigation it was determined that MOORE, who sat atop the narcotics distribution chain in this case, was held responsible for distributing over 27 kilograms of cocaine base (crack) and 5 kilograms of cocaine in the Harnett County area, from August, 2008 to January, 2009. It was also determined that from August, 2008, to January, 2009, MCLEAN was responsible for the sale of over 255 grams of crack cocaine and over 2,296 grams of cocaine and COLE was responsible for the sale of over 4 grams of crack cocaine and 10 grams of marijuana.
Mr. Holding stated: “When individuals choose to pump poison, in the form of illegal narcotics, into the communities of the Eastern District of North Carolina, we will hold them accountable for their choices and act swiftly to get them and their dangerous product off our streets.”
Sheriff Larry Rollins of the Harnett County’s Sheriff’s Department, stated: “Thank you to the United States Attorney’s Office. Moore, Mclean and Cole have been a problem for the citizens of Harnett County for many years. The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, along with the A.T.F. and S.B.I., conducted an outstanding investigation and it showed from the substantial sentences that all three defendants received.”
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; and the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Cowley 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.
