Burgaw Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years on Drug Charge

RALEIGH — The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces that, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced SHARON DARMINA RESPUS, 31, of Burgaw to 100 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

On July 25, 2018, RESPUS pled guilty to distribution of a quantity of cocaine. 

On September 20, 2017 law enforcement officials conducted a controlled purchase of a quantity of cocaine from RESPUS in the area of West Satchwell Street in Pender County North Carolina.   According to law enforcement, the investigation found that RESPUS was involved with the distribution of approximately one kilogram of cocaine between September 2017 and December 2017.

This case is part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.  This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement. 

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pender County Sheriff’s Office, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Pender County Probation Office and the Burgaw Police Department.    Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.