Armed Lumberton Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Prison

RALEIGH, N.C. – An armed Lumberton fentanyl trafficker was sentenced today to 150 months in prison. On May 22, 2024, Charlton Townsend, age 29, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, in February 2022, the Fairmont Police Department (FPD) and the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office received multiple complaints about Townsend selling drugs from his residence in Fairmont. As a result, the FPD utilized a confidential informant to make a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Townsend.

On March 7, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Townsend’s residence. Townsend, who was present at the time, was verbally combative with officers and had to be secured in a patrol vehicle. Prior to being secured, officers found a loaded 9mm semiautomatic gun on the ground next to Townsend. The search of the home resulted in the seizure of cocaine base (crack), cocaine, fentanyl, a sawed-off shotgun, a stolen .223/.556 AR-style pistol, a .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm and more than $6000 in cash. Townsend was arrested on the same day as the search.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Fairmont Police Department, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Gainer  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-000690D-RN.

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