RALEIGH, N.C. – Joseph Bernard White, 46, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, is headed to federal prison for the next twelve years. White was sentenced today to 144 months for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, and illegally possessing firearms while doing it. The sentence follows a guilty plea entered on October 4, 2022.
The bust wasn’t some fancy federal operation cooked up in a sterile office. It started with complaints. Residents of Jacksonville, fed up with the open-air drug dealing, actually called it in. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley was quick to credit those tips. “Residents of Jacksonville were courageous in reporting suspected drug trafficking to law enforcement,” Easley stated. “Thanks to their tips, an armed drug trafficker is off the streets and behind bars for the next twelve years.”
The investigation, a joint effort between the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA, quickly turned up a stockpile of poison and weaponry. Between November 2020 and March 2021, White allegedly turned his Jacksonville home into a distribution hub for fentanyl and methamphetamine. It wasn’t a hobby; it was a business – a deadly one. On March 5, 2021, a search of the property revealed methamphetamine, fentanyl, a staggering six firearms, and nearly $4,000 in cash. The cash speaks volumes; White wasn’t exactly operating a charity.
Onslow County Sheriff Chris Thomas emphasized the importance of community involvement. “The arrest and prosecution of White was a direct result of the cooperation between the community, law enforcement and prosecutors,” he commented. “Cooperation with community and our fellow law enforcement partners along with education are key to combating the drug epidemic.” Translation: snitches get results, and everyone benefits when they work together.
U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle handed down the sentence after hearing the evidence. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Webb and Nicholas Hartigan secured the conviction. This isn’t just about taking down one dealer; it’s a message. Bring poison into our communities, and you’ll face a long stretch behind bars.
For those seeking further details, related court documents are available on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina website or through PACER, using Case No. 7:22-CR-73. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in North Carolina. This operation serves as a stark reminder: the streets have ears, and the feds are listening.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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