CyE Leance Frasier, Drug Trafficking, North Carolina 2024

Greensboro, North Carolina

Two defendants whose 18-month long drug conspiracy resulted in the death of one college student and contributed to the death of another have been sentenced in the Middle District of North Carolina. CyE Leance Frasier, also known as 'The Barber,' was sentenced to 29 years in prison. Carlisa Renea Allen was sentenced on February 13, 2024, to 28 years in prison.

Frasier pleaded guilty on October 25, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, and conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, resulting in death. Allen was found guilty at trial on November 17, 2023, of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl resulting in death; distribution of cocaine hydrochloride; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence presented at trial, including thousands of text messages between Allen and Frasier, photographs, and a note retrieved from Allen’s cellphone, as well as Cash App and Venmo records, showed that Allen and Frasier marketed themselves to local college students as a source of narcotics, primarily cocaine. On occasion, the pair knowingly sold fentanyl. The evidence also showed that the death of Joshua Skip Zinner on or about March 9, 2023, resulted from the use of cocaine laced with fentanyl that he had purchased from the Allen and Frasier drug conspiracy.

At sentencing, the court heard from Zinner’s family members, as well as family members of Elizabeth Grace Burton, who also died after ingesting cocaine laced with fentanyl purchased directly from Frasier.

“The heinous and inhumane actions of these defendants led to the senseless loss of two young lives,” said United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston. “While nothing will ever erase the pain of the families who suffered these tremendous losses, the sentences send a strong message of deterrence to people who consider selling poisonous mixtures of illegal drugs.”

CyE Leance Frasier was sentenced to a 348-month term of imprisonment. Carlisa Renea Allen was sentenced to a 336-month term of imprisonment by the Honorable William L. Osteen. At the conclusion of his active term of imprisonment, Frasier will be subject to supervised release for 5 years. Allen will be subject to supervised release for 5 years following her release from prison. They were both ordered to pay restitution to the families of Joshua Skip Zinner and Elizabeth Grace Burton in the amount of $8,000 dollars and $11,304 dollars, respectively.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Durham Police Department, Duke University Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh/Wake County City-County Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Frasier’s 29-year prison sentence and Allen’s 28-year prison sentence send a strong message of deterrence to those who consider selling poisonous mixtures of illegal drugs.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdnc/pr/defendants-sentenced-drug-trafficking-resulted-two-deaths