Darrell Koonce, Fentanyl Trafficking, North Carolina 2023

High-Speed Chase Ends in Fentanyl Trafficking Conviction

A 36-year-old man from Kinston, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Darrell Koonce, a member of the Crips Gang, was stopped by Kinston Police Detectives on July 6, 2021, for erratic driving after leaving a known drug location. During a search of his car, detectives located 40 grams of fentanyl and cash.

On August 4, 2022, officers attempted to stop Koonce and serve a federal arrest warrant, but he fled at a high rate of speed, reaching speeds of over 90 miles per hour. He ultimately collided with another car and was arrested following the collision.

Koonce has prior convictions for Discharging a weapon into occupied property (2006), Common Law Robbery (2015), Assault Inflicting Serious Injury on a Detention Officer (2015), and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (2020).

According to Kinston Police Chief Keith Goyette, ‘As an agency, we’re extremely grateful that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had made it their focal point to assist communities such as Kinston. This sentence protects our community and places a career criminal where he belongs, in prison.’

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Kinston Police Department, and the Jacksonville Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuting the case.

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