pamlico county drug dealer sentenced to 11 years
GREENVILLE – October 17, 2012 – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker and District Attorney Scott Thomas announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge Malcom J. Howard sentenced HERMAN OTIS MIDGETTE, also known as “O.T.,” 41, of Bayboro, North Carolina to 132 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Walker stated, “I appreciate the outstanding cooperation of the numerous agencies involved with this investigation. This case demonstrates how working together can result in the removal of a dangerous criminal from a community.”
District Attorney Scott Thomas commented, “I am pleased this investigation resulted in a conviction and substantial prison sentence. We will continue to do all we can to coordinate our efforts as we pursue drug dealers.”
MIDGETTE was named in an Indictment filed on March 14, 2012 charging him with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine from 2009 until January 19, 2012. On June 6, 2012, MIDGETTE pled guilty to that charge.
According to the investigation, officers from the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office conducted surveillance and utilized confidential informants to make controlled purchases of over 100 grams of cocaine from MIDGETTE at various locations within Pamlico County. Further investigation revealed that MIDGETTE was responsible for distributing over 700 grams of cocaine since 2009.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team, a multi-agency task force comprised of agents from the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, Havelock Police Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, New Bern Police Department, Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office, River Bend Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation and Trent Woods Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Augustus Willis represented the government. Mr. Willis is a prosecutor with the District 3-B District Attorney’s Office encompassing Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties. District Attorney Scott Thomas has assigned him to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters. Mr. Wills’ position is funded through a grant provided by the Governor’s Crime Commission.
