CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a stunning blow to Gastonia’s drug trade, Kenter O’Neal Ruff, the city’s notorious drug kingpin, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for cocaine base distribution. The 45-year-old was handed down the sentence by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Ruff, a repeat offender with an extensive criminal history, was convicted on January 5, 2023, by a federal jury following a trial that exposed his relentless drug distribution activities. The investigation pinpointed Ruff as the local link in a Gaston County drug trafficking ring. Evidence showed that between October 2020 and April 2021, he sold cocaine base to an individual working with law enforcement.
Despite being on supervised release for a prior federal drug conviction, Ruff continued his illegal activities, leading to additional state convictions related to drug trafficking and possession. His new sentence comes as a result of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation that targeted criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach.
The FBI Charlotte Division and the Gastonia Police Department played pivotal roles in today’s announcement, which marked the culmination of their efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks. Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Kent and Steven R. Kaufman, along with Special Assistant United States Attorney William Wiseman, prosecuted the case with unwavering determination.
Wiseman, a state prosecutor from the 26th Prosecutorial District, was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA in this pivotal partnership between local and federal prosecutors. His dual swearing-in reflects the commitment to justice across all levels of law enforcement.
With Ruff behind bars, the U.S. Attorney’s Office extends its gratitude to the FBI and the Gastonia Police Department for their relentless pursuit of justice in the fight against drug trafficking.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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