Two Montgomery County, N.C., Residents Sentenced For Drug-Related Charges

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Two residents of Mount Gilead, N.C., were sentenced to federal prison today for activity involving distribution of cocaine base (“crack”), announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

JASPER LEE CUTHRELL, age 38, of Mount Gilead, North Carolina, was sentenced to a total of 136 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. CUTHRELL was also ordered to serve 5 years of supervised release following his imprisonment, and to pay a special assessment of $300. CUTHRELL pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

SHANI GWYNN LATHAM, age 31, of Mount Gilead, North Carolina, was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. In addition to prison time, LATHAM was ordered to serve 4 years of supervised release and to pay a special assessment of $100. LATHAM pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to distribution of crack cocaine.

Court records show CUTHRELL engaged in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine with LATHAM and other persons in Montgomery County, North Carolina from April 25, 2019, through July 9, 2019. During that time, law enforcement used confidential informants to engage in a series of purchases from CUTHRELL of crack cocaine and firearms on several dates. This investigation resulted in the recovery of four firearms, one rifle, one shotgun, and two revolvers, one of which had been reported stolen from Salisbury, North Carolina. The narcotics and firearms sales took place at a residence in Montgomery County. LATHAM directly participated in one of the sales of crack cocaine to a confidential informant on April 25, 2019.

The case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Gilead Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig M. Principe.

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