Kenneth Brown, Armed Cocaine Trafficking, North Carolina 2022

A convicted felon with a history of violence has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation.

Kenneth Brown, a 41-year-old Wilmington resident with ties to the United Blood Nation gang, was sentenced yesterday to 87 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.

Brown was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, five counts of distribution of a quantity of cocaine base, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Brown sold 13 grams of cocaine base to an undercover ATF agent on June 23, 2021, and an additional 13 grams on June 30, 2021. During the second sale, Brown pulled out a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, which he declined to sell to the agent.

On August 5 and 18, Brown sold the agent 26 grams of cocaine base, but did not produce the agreed amount initially, instead retrieving additional cocaine and cooking it into cocaine base.

Brown’s girlfriend, who was present during the deal, stated that Brown was a master crack cooker and had done so on numerous occasions.

On October 9, 2021, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Brown and found a loaded HK 9mm handgun during a search of the vehicle.

Brown was arrested on federal charges on March 15, 2022, and found in possession of a revolver. Two search warrants were served at residences associated with Brown on March 16, 2022, resulting in the discovery of a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, a loaded rifle with a large capacity magazine, and more than 100 rounds of additional ammunition at one apartment, and over 65 grams of cocaine at another.

Brown’s sentence is the result of an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Hanover and Brunswick County Sheriffs’ Office, with assistance from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).

U.S. Attorney Michael Easley made the announcement after sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-00011-FL.

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