Halifax County Man Convicted on Federal Drug Charges

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Halifax County man last week on a charge of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Taj’ma De’yong Ussery, also known as “Pop Off,” age 25, distributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance on December 21, 2022. The sale was a hand-to-hand transaction with a confidential informant.

The offense was the result of a drug investigation conducted by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit which utilized a confidential informant to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Ussery. Ussery was identified as a regular dealer of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the community who worked within a network of others to distribute these dangerous drugs throughout Halifax County. This indictment resulted as part of a larger effort to combat dangerous drugs and gang-related violence in Halifax County North Carolina and was the result of coordination between the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

“Drug traffickers are pushing high-purity meth and fentanyl, driving addiction and overdoses in some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.  “We are partnering with law enforcement in all corners of Eastern North Carolina to dismantle dangerous drug organizations.  The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office should be commended for their work and their commitment to keeping their community safe.”

“I want to thank our dedicated drug agents along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their great job,” said Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis. “The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate people terrorizing our county or taking actions that cause citizens to live in fear. We will continue to work together with local, state, and federal partners to keep our community safe.”

Ussery faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison when sentenced in January 2024.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Foxx and Phil Aubart 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. 4:23-cr-00034-BO-RJ-1.