Moore Gets 25 Years: Heroin & Guns in NC

GREENVILLE, NC – Maurice Eugene Moore Jr., 27, of Winterville, North Carolina, will spend the next 25 years in federal prison. Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard handed down the 300-month sentence today, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a large-scale heroin distribution operation and illegal possession of ammunition as a convicted felon.

Moore was indicted on April 20, 2016, on three counts and ultimately pleaded guilty on December 5, 2016, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With the Intent to Distribute 100 Grams or More of Heroin, and Possession of Ammunition by a Felon. The case unfolded from a 2013 investigation initiated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

NCIS agents flagged Moore as a local heroin dealer and, disturbingly, a pimp operating near U.S. Marine Corps bases. The investigation quickly revealed a sophisticated operation: Moore sourced heroin from New York, then exploited vulnerable women, turning them into drug mules to transport the narcotics back to North Carolina. This wasn’t just about moving product; it was about leveraging desperation for profit.

Evidence gathered painted a grim picture of Moore’s operation. Multiple witnesses placed him frequently armed, often seen with both assault rifles and heroin stashed in hotel rooms and other locations used as drug dens. The investigation uncovered a particularly depraved tactic: Moore intentionally addicted the prostitutes he controlled to heroin, ensuring their dependence and further solidifying his control – and their usefulness in distributing the drug.

The collaborative investigation involved a multi-agency effort, including the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office, the Havelock Police Department, and the Jacksonville Police Department. These agencies worked together to dismantle Moore’s network and bring him to justice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Lemmon prosecuted the case. This sentence sends a clear message: exploiting addiction and endangering communities for personal gain will be met with the full force of the law. Moore’s actions weren’t just about heroin; they were about the systematic abuse of vulnerable individuals and a blatant disregard for the law.

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