Dennis Ray Howard, Narcotics & Weapon Violations, North Carolina 2012

RALEIGH, North Carolina – In a shocking turn of events, 41-year-old Dennis Ray Howard of Wilson, North Carolina was sentenced to life imprisonment, followed by 60 months of supervised release, for his role in a large-scale narcotics operation.

On October 17, 2012, a federal jury found Howard guilty of 11 counts of narcotics violations, including one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With the Intent to Distribute 100 Grams or More of a Mixture or a Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Phencyclidine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.

Howard was also convicted of seven counts of Distribution of a Quantity of Phencyclidine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code Sections 841(a)(1), one count of Distribution of a Quantity of Phencyclidine and Aiding and Abetting in violation of Title 21, United States Code Sections 841(a)(1) and Title 18 United States Code Section 2, and one count of Possession With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Phencyclidine in violation of Title 21, United States Code 841(a)(1) and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 924(c).

According to the evidence presented at trial, from September 20, 2010 until October 13, 2010, six controlled purchases of Phencyclidine (PCP) were made from Howard at a residence in Wilson. In addition, law enforcement conducted three more controlled purchases of PCP from Howard on March 15, 2011, April 7, 2011, and on May 13, 2011, when officers conducted a traffic stop of Howard’s vehicle and discovered a vial containing a residue amount of PCP.

During the investigation, Howard’s residence was searched, revealing a .25 caliber pistol and ammunition. The testimony at trial showed that Howard was responsible for distributing over 500 grams of PCP in the Wilson area during the time frame of the conspiracy.

The investigation was conducted by the Wilson Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer E. Wells prosecuting the case.

Howard’s sentencing brings an end to a lengthy investigation and prosecution, with the defendant facing a life sentence in federal prison.

Related Federal Cases