Seven Sentenced For Methamphetamine Distribution In Johnston, Wilson, And Wayne Counties

WILMINGTON - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announces that seven individuals were sentenced for their involvement in a methamphetamine distribution organization.  All 7 were part of the same drug trafficking organization operating in Johnston, Wilson, and Wayne Counties. The organization called themselves “The Hill-Top Mafia” due to the close affiliation they have with methamphetamine, guns, and violence.

The following individuals were charged in a 13-count indicted on September 16, 2014.  Count 1 charged conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, dispense, and possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine between November 2011 and September 16, 2014.  Counts 2 and 3 charged distribution and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on March 18, 2013 and March 26, 2013 respectively.  Counts 4 and 7 charged possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting on September 13, 2013 and December 9, 2013 respectively.  Counts 5, 6, and 9 charged possession of equipment, chemicals, products and material with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and aiding and abetting on October 16, 2013 and December 9, 2013 respectively.  Counts 8 and 10 charged possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and aiding and abetting on December 9, 2013, and December 12, 2013, respectively.  Count 11 charged possession of a firearm by a felon on December 12, 2013.  Count 12 charged possession of a stolen firearm on December 12, 2013.  Count 13 charged possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking Crime on December 12, 2013.

The count of the indictment each pleaded guilty to is annotated as well as their sentence.

• William Bryan Hill, 32, of Kenly, NC – Count 1, 121 months & a lifetime of supervised release

• Samuel Wayne Hill, 26, of Smithfield, NC – Count 1, 480 months & a lifetime of supervised release

• William Joseph Hill, 28, of Princeton, NC – Count 1, 175 months & a lifetime of supervised release

• Terry Matthew Hall, 21, of Wilson, NC – Count 1, 225 months & a lifetime of supervised release

• Michael Eugene Custer, 40, of Princeton, NC – Count 1, 123 months & a lifetime of supervised release

• Dolly Wadsworth Evans, 46, of Smithfield, NC – Count 1, 157 months & 10 years of supervised release

Samantha Leigh Ross-Varner, 24, of Goldsboro, NC was named in a two-count Criminal Information filed on May 5, 2015. Count 1 of the Criminal Information charged conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, dispense, and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine between November 2011, and September 16, 2014. Count 2 charged Ross-Varner with possession of a firearm by a felon on December 12, 2013.  She pled guilty to the two count Criminal Information on May 11, 2015.  On December 8, 2015 Ross-Varner was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

“The NC State Bureau of Investigation values its partnerships with local and federal law enforcement in the continued fight against methamphetamine production in North Carolina, and appreciates the Eastern District United States Attorney’s Office for their ongoing work and continued support in this investigation,” stated Special Agent in Charge Todd Duke who is the supervisor of the NCSBI’s Clandestine Laboratory Response Unit. 

As a result of an on-going investigation into methamphetamine production in the Wayne and Johnston County, areas, federal, state, and local authorities identified several individuals, including Samuel Wayne Hill, William Joseph Hill (Jody Hill), William Bryan Hill, Terry Matthew Hall (Matt Hall), Michael Eugene Custer, Samantha Leigh Ross-Varner, Dolly Wadsworth Evans, and others, were involved in the production of methamphetamine between 2010 and 2014. Manufacturing methamphetamine requires pseudoephedrine, found in over-the-counter cold medicine, as well as other commonly found ingredients including lithium (usually stripped from batteries), plastic tubing, dry ice, Coleman fuel, muriatic acid, fertilizer, and liquid drain cleaner.  The majority of these items can be purchased at retail stores such as Lowe’s Home Improvement Center and Walmart.

The investigation established that the conspiracy centered in the Brogden area of Johnston County.  The investigation established that residence and property owned by Evans was a hub of this conspiracy, along with the residences of Samuel Hill, Jody Hill, and related family properties.  Evans, a methamphetamine user, allowed her property to be used by all of the conspirators for manufacturing and using methamphetamine. Samuel Hill, Jody Hill, Bryan Hill, Custer, and Hall were methamphetamine cooks.  Evans, who had a job through the period of the conspiracy, allowed conspirators to live in her house and purchased chemicals and items used in the production of methamphetamine in return for methamphetamine.  Ross-Varner was a methamphetamine user and cook and she purchased pseudoephedrine and other items for use in the production of methamphetamine.  During a portion of the conspiracy, Ross-Varner lived with Evans and dated Samuel Hill.

The case was investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Wells prosecuted the case for the government.