Rocky Point Man Sentenced for Distribution and Possession of Cocaine

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that EDUARDO ROMERO MARTINEZ, 39, of Rocky Point, NC, was sentenced by United States District Judge James C. Dever III, on drug charges.  Judge Dever sentenced MARTINEZ to 60 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release, in addition to 24 months for revocation of supervised release.

On January 31, 2018, MARTINEZ was charged in a three-count indictment, and on August 28, 2018, he pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.  MARTINEZ was under federal supervised release at the time of his arrest in May of 2017.

In June of 2016, deputies with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office received information that MARTINEZ was trafficking  cocaine.  Deputies then conducted multiple controlled purchases of cocaine from MARTINEZ.  From June 14 to July 27, 2016, a total of approximately 82 grams of cocaine were purchased from MARTINEZ. 

On February 14, 2017, an undercover officer conducted a controlled purchase of 55.7 grams of cocaine from MARTINEZ for $2,700.  On May 18, 2017, an undercover officer met MARTINEZ, this time purchasing 27.2 grams of cocaine for $1,400. Later that day, deputies arrested MARTINEZ, who was found in possession of 55 grams of cocaine.  MARTINEZ was interviewed and admitted to distributing and possessing the cocaine.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Police Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh handled the prosecution of this case for the government.