FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TUESDAY - February 8, 2011

CRAVEN COUNTY METHAMPHETAMINE DEALER SENTENCED

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today BERNICE ANDRUS, 31, of New Bern, North Carolina, was sentenced by United States District Judge James C. Dever III, for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. ANDRUS was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencings for ANDRUS’ co-defendants, Jerry Wayne Ryan, ANDRUS’ husband, and Billy Oakley, Ryan’s cousin, are scheduled for March, 2011.

A Federal Grand Jury returned an indictment on February 4, 2010, charging ANDRUS, Ryan and Oakley with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. All three pled guilty to the conspiracy charge at different times from April 19, 2010, through June 22, 2010.

This case arose out of an investigation into drug trafficking activity in the Craven County area. Among the various targets identified were ANDRUS, Ryan and Oakley. The evidence showed that the three were manufacturing methamphetamine at Ryan’s detached garage on his residential property. Upon execution of a search warrant by law enforcement at that location, ANDRUS, Ryan and Oakley began breaking various items in an effort to destroy potential evidence. After law enforcement made entry, eight officers, along with ANDRUS, Ryan and Oakley were taken to the local hospital for chemical exposure. Also seized from the residence were supplies consistent with manufacturing methamphetamine as well as three shotguns, four rifles, and two handguns. The evidence also revealed that ANDRUS was accountable for distributing over five kilograms of methamphetamine while she was involved in this drug trafficking conspiracy.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Rudy E. Renfer represented 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.