Jorge Luis Perez, Drug Trafficking, North Carolina 2020

A Florida man has been convicted of drug trafficking and firearms offenses in Western North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jorge Luis Perez, 36, of Wimauma, Florida, was found guilty of two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Perez was convicted after a three-day trial in U.S. District Court in Asheville. The jury found him guilty of possessing a trafficking quantity of methamphetamine in May 2020, during a traffic stop in Jackson County, North Carolina. The stop resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm, over $10,000 in cash, and a trafficking quantity of methamphetamine.

During the trial, evidence was presented that showed Perez was involved in drug trafficking activities not only in North Carolina but also in Florida. In July 2020, he was involved in another traffic stop in Swain County, North Carolina, where law enforcement found an even larger trafficking quantity of methamphetamine, digital scales, and other evidence. A search of Perez's trailer led to the seizure of additional evidence, including methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and a money counter.

The conviction carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, plus a maximum penalty of life in prison. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. Perez remains in custody and a sentencing date has not been set.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the Swain County Sheriff's Office, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Florida. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.

The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

U.S. Attorney Dena J. King commended the law enforcement agencies involved in the case for their hard work and dedication. She also praised the efforts of Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Kent and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers, who prosecuted the case. Perez is currently in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/florida-man-convicted-drug-trafficking-and-firearms-offenses