Armed Henderson Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison

NEW BERN, N.C. – A Henderson man was sentenced to 138 months in prison for armed drug trafficking. On August 15, 2024, Cedric Neal pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Neal, 38, was previously sentenced to 105 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.  He was released from federal prison on July 27, 2022, and was placed on supervised release for five years.  By January 2023, investigators received a tip that Neal—while on supervised release—had resumed drug trafficking activities.

Investigators conducted seven controlled purchases of crack, fentanyl, or both from Neal, then executed search warrants at three locations associated with him.  The search warrants yielded fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana, and numerous firearms.  Ultimately, Neal was held accountable for 1,205 grams of marijuana, 451 grams of cocaine, 288 grams of fentanyl, nine grams of cocaine base, and five firearms.

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Loeser  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. 5:24-CR-40-FL.