Darrick Charles, Armed Drug Trafficking, North Carolina 2022
A high-ranking member of the United Blood Nation in Wilmington, Darrick Charles, 31, has been sentenced to 210 months in prison for his role in armed drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Charles was involved in the distribution of heroin in Eastern North Carolina between February 12, 2020, and June 2, 2020. During this time, law enforcement made five controlled purchases of heroin from Charles in Wilmington.
On February 19, 2020, Charles possessed a 9mm handgun while selling a quantity of heroin to a confidential informant. He also sold a handgun to law enforcement on February 24, 2020, stating that his girlfriend could purchase the gun legally.
Charles is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior conviction for manufacturing, selling, distributing, or possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
On June 4, 2020, law enforcement served a search warrant at Charles' residence in Brunswick County and found three firearms and materials used for the distribution of heroin.
Charles was eventually apprehended by U.S. Marshals on April 4, 2021, after fleeing a high-speed chase in Leland, NC. He threw down a quantity of heroin and a loaded, stolen handgun during the pursuit.
Charles pleaded guilty to five counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and two counts of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime on July 6, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Michael Easley stated, 'Putting a stop to this high-ranking gang member's criminal conduct is a victory for the citizens of Eastern North Carolina.'
Charles' sentence is part of 'Operation Golfer,' an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation that aims to disrupt and dismantle high-level drug traffickers and gangs.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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