Mebane Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Cocaine Conspiracy

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced LASHUN TRACY TINNEN, 37, of Mebane, North Carolina to 262 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

The prosecution of TINNEN was a part of an  Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF), which has focused on cocaine and cocaine base (crack) distributors in Nash, Edgecombe, and  Halifax counties.

TINNEN was named in a two-count Indictment filed on August 1, 2018 charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine from December 2013 until May 10, 2018; and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.  On November 5, 2018, TINNEN pled guilty to both charges.   

United States Attorney Higdon stated, “Drug traffickers like TINNEN threaten our communities with deadly controlled substances.  The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to taking back North Carolina from the violent criminals and drug traffickers, like TINNEN, that are plaguing the Eastern District of North Carolina.  In addition, we stand ready to aggressively pursue those who would commit violent acts against our law enforcement officers, because it is imperative that we protect those who protect us.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the case, “Those involved in drug trafficking deliver deadly doses of poison to the community. DEA’s job is to protect the community from the scourge of drug abuse. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office who helped make this investigation a success.”

According to the investigation, TINNEN traveled from Mebane, North Carolina to Raleigh, North Carolina on May 10, 2018 to deliver 18 ounces of cocaine.  TINNEN arrived in the parking lot at the Crabtree Valley Mall expecting to sell the cocaine, but was instead blocked in by law enforcement officers and a tactical paramedic.  TINNEN rammed his vehicle into the unmarked police vehicle while attempting to flee.  TINNEN received a sentencing enhancement for assaulting officers during the course of flight, which created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to the law enforcement officers attempting to apprehend him.  A search of TINNEN’s vehicle revealed approximately 500 grams of cocaine and over $17,000 in United States currency.  TINNEN’s wife and small child were present with him at the time.  During a subsequent search of TINNEN’s home, officers located two firearms, one of which was stolen, and $2,000 in United States currency.  TINNEN also received a sentencing enhancement for the possession of a dangerous weapon during the time of the drug conspiracy.

This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative.  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.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rocky Mount Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, City of Raleigh, and Wake County Government Department of Emergency Medical Services.  Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government.