Federal Jury Convicts Raleigh Man for Heroin Overdose Death and Conspiracy

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that today in federal court, JAYSON MCNEIL, a 28-year-old resident of Raleigh, was convicted following a four-day trial before United States District Judge James C. Dever III.  The jury found MCNEIL guilty of Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl Resulting in Death of a Person, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute One Kilogram or More of Heroin. Sentencing is scheduled for the April 27, 2020 term of court in Raleigh.  MCNEIL faces at least twenty years’ and up to life imprisonment.

The evidence at trial showed that MCNEIL operated a long-standing heroin organization in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, distributing heroin and fentanyl to numerous individuals and which resulted in multiple overdoses.  This culminated in the May 30, 2018 overdose death of a 27 year old man in the Raleigh area.  A co-conspirator, Destin McLean, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute one (1) kilogram of heroin before trial.    

Mr. Higdon commented:  “This case is one example of the danger that the distribution and use of fentanyl and heroin presents for people all across this country.  We are grateful that the trial jury found our evidence persuasive and have held this defendant accountable for his drug trafficking crimes and for the pain and suffering it caused.  This office will pursue those who are pouring these dangerous drugs into our streets and who are jeopardizing the health and welfare of our citizens.”

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the N.C.  State Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorney’s Office and the United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation in this matter.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly L. Sandling and Assistant United States Attorney Thomas L. Crosby prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.