Greenville Drug Trafficker Sentenced

RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced ARTKES BENNETT, 36, of Greenville, North Carolina, to 192 months in prison followed by 6 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and heroin, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with the intent to distribute heroin.  BENNETT previously pled guilty to these charges on June 15, 2015. 

The Greenville Regional Drug Task Force used an informant to buy methamphetamine from BENNETT on December 30, 2014.  BENNETT was arrested on January 13, 2015, after 50 bags of heroin were found in his car.  The investigation revealed that between June 2014 and January 2015, BENNETT was responsible for distributing approximately 80 grams of heroin, .95 grams of methamphetamine, and 907 grams of cocaine in Pitt County, North Carolina. 

BENNETT faced an enhanced penalty due to his status as a career offender based on two prior convictions for selling cocaine and a prior conviction for possession with the intent to distribute heroin.  On July 30, 2014, BENNETT was a participant in the Greenville Regional Offender Watch or “GROW” Up Program.  This focused deterrence program is designed to assist repeat offenders in becoming more productive members of their communities by offering education opportunities, work training, and substance abuse treatment.  Offenders are provided a notice of prohibited offenses and the severe consequences of committing such offenses. 

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force.  The federal prosecution was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry.  Mr. Perry is a prosecutor with the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office.  Pitt County District Attorney Kimberly Robb has assigned Mr. Perry to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters.  Mr. Perry’s assignment to the United States Attorney’s Office has been made possible by grants funded by the Governor’s Crime Commission.