Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

RALEIGH, N.C. – Daryl Cromartie, 32, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by felon and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP).  On February 27, 2024, Cromartie pled guilty to the charges.

According to court records and evidence presented in court, in February 2023, the Wilmington Police Department (WPD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Daryl Cromartie. From February 23, 2023, to July 14, 2023, law enforcement utilized confidential informants (CIs) to purchase narcotics from Cromartie. Most of the controlled buys occurred outside of Cromartie’s residence in Wilmington. Prior to the transactions, Cromartie and the CIs communicated via cellphone.

On July 17, 2023, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Cromartie’s residence in Wilmington. Cromartie was present during the search and acknowledged there were various controlled substances, a handgun, and U.S. currency in the home. Officers seized 8.01 grams of cocaine, 42.8 grams of crack cocaine, 55.2 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 37.2 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, $4,360 in U.S. currency and a loaded 9mm handgun from a safe in the master bedroom.

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The FBI, WPD, and NHCSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:23-CR-00094-M.