CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Six men are off the streets and headed to federal prison after being convicted as part of a major drug trafficking operation that flooded Charlotte with deadly narcotics. The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell, mark a significant, though likely temporary, dent in the city’s ongoing drug crisis.
The ring, operating from multiple “trap houses” throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County between January 2020 and March 2022, dealt in a cocktail of dangerous substances – fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Law enforcement seized over $63,650 in cash along with the drugs, digital scales, and a disturbing cache of firearms and ammunition during the investigation. The bust was the result of a joint effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, the ATF, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
Jakieran Harris, 27, of Charlotte, received the harshest sentence: 108 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Laricco Eugene Sherrill, Jr., 23, also of Charlotte, will spend 84 months behind bars, with four years of supervised release to follow. Marquez Maxwell, 27, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 54 months and three years of supervised release. Quentin Nathaniel Stowe, 28, of Charlotte, received 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release, while Brian Clinton, 24, of Charlotte, got 42 months and three years. The lightest sentence went to Sadarian Armstrong, 41, of Charlotte, who will serve 24 months, followed by three years of supervised release.
“The six defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization that distributed deadly drugs like fentanyl throughout Charlotte,” stated U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. “We will continue to partner with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute trafficking networks that spread drugs and drug-induced violence in our community.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the link between drug trafficking and violent crime. “When we can stop a major trafficking network and disrupt the flow of drugs into our communities, we have a better chance of decreasing violent crime and keeping our streets safe.”
The investigation fell under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency program designed to dismantle criminal organizations. Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stout prosecuted the case. While these convictions represent a win for law enforcement, seasoned observers know that for every ring busted, another is waiting to take its place. The demand for these drugs remains high, and the profits are too tempting for those willing to risk everything.
Those seeking more information on the OCDETF program can find it at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Grimy Times will continue to monitor drug-related crime in Charlotte and across the nation, exposing the networks and the damage they inflict on our communities.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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