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Press Release

North Carolina Man Sentenced To Over 21 Years In Prison For Meth Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia

NORFOLK, Va. – Lester Keith Gunter, a/k/a “Gunner,” 45, of Hazelwood, North Carolina, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

According to court documents, Gunter and his co-conspirators were a group of affiliated methamphetamine distributors operating in the Haywood County, North Carolina area who, from late 2011 through early 2013, sold large quantities of methamphetamine to a series of Norfolk-based redistributors. 

Gunter was indicted in a superseding indictment filed on July 9, 2014 and was found guilty by a federal jury on July 18, 2014.  Co-conspirators Rhonda Jo Raxter, John Clinton Cathey, and Jerimy Dayne Dennis pled guilty prior to the superseding indictment.  Rhonda Jo Raxter, a/k/a “Rhonda Jo Aurand,” pled guilty on June 4, 2014 and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.  John Clinton Cathey, a/k/a “Cat Hair,” pled guilty on July 2, 2014 and was sentenced to 36 months in prison.  Jerimy Dayne Dennis, a/k/a “Worm,” pled guilty on June 12, 2014 and was sentenced to 75 months in prison.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Virginia Beach Police Department and the Haywood County (NC) Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:13-cr-176.

Updated August 11, 2016
Component
USAO - Virginia, Eastern

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