Christopher Williams, Cocaine Trafficking, North Carolina 2019

Raleigh, NC - In a shocking case of cocaine trafficking, 59-year-old Christopher Williams of Henderson, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Williams was also ordered to forfeit his one-third interest in his residence to the federal government.

The charges against Williams stem from a series of controlled purchases of narcotics made from him at his residence located at 310 Yancey Lane in Henderson, North Carolina. The Vance County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) identified Williams and others as trafficking in narcotics in early 2018.

Williams, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing ammunition or firearms at the time of the offense. The VCSO sought and obtained a search warrant for Williams' residence, where they encountered Williams with crack cocaine and ammunition.

Williams pled guilty to two counts of distribution of cocaine base (crack), possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of distributing cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the VCSO. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government. This case is also part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative, which emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney's Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violence crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

Williams' sentencing marks a significant victory in the fight against cocaine trafficking in North Carolina. The federal government will continue to work with local law enforcement to identify and prosecute individuals involved in narcotics trafficking.

For more information about the Take Back North Carolina Initiative, please click here.

Defendant: Christopher Williams

Criminal Charges: Distribution of cocaine base (crack), possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of distributing cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting, and being a felon in possession of ammunition

City and State: Henderson, North Carolina

Exact Date: March 11, 2019

Sentence: 57 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release

Fine: None

Source: United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/henderson-convicted-felon-sentenced-federal-court-drug-and-ammunition-charges