John Michael Gray, 14 Years for Methamphetamine and Heroin Trafficking, North Carolina 2019

A federal jury in New Bern, North Carolina, has delivered a guilty verdict against John Michael Gray, 33, of Onslow County, for his role in a multi-state drug trafficking organization.

The verdict was announced by Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, after the jury found Gray guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of substance containing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture of substance containing methamphetamine and heroin.

The investigation, part of OCDETF Operation Fighting JellyFish, uncovered that Gray had been involved in an assault of someone involved with him in the distribution of methamphetamine, highlighting the organization's reputation for violence.

On August 8, 2019, an Onslow County Sheriff’s Detective conducted a traffic stop of Gray, where law enforcement found a quantity of high purity methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin in the car.

Gray was involved in the distribution of more than 700 grams of methamphetamine, according to the investigation.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that John Michael Gray was sentenced to 168 months in prison for his crimes. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Onslow, Duplin and Craven Sheriff’s Offices and the Beaufort and Kinston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.

Gray's crimes were part of an ongoing effort to combat the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in the region.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/onslow-county-man-receives-14-years-federal-prison