Lee Graham, a 31-year-old Jacksonville man, has been sentenced to 180 months in prison and 60 months of supervised release for trafficking more than 229 grams of crystal methamphetamine and using a firearm in connection with such drug trafficking.
Lee Graham’s downfall began when the Jacksonville Police Department (JPD) received information that he was trafficking large quantities of crystal meth. The JPD utilized an undercover agent and a cooperating informant to conduct ten controlled purchases of illegal drugs from Graham between November 2020 and mid-January 2021. During these controlled purchases, Graham sold a total of 229 grams of crystal meth with a purity rate of 98-99%, 12 grams of fentanyl, and quantities of crack cocaine and heroin.
Graham, who was on state probation at the time, used and carried a Smith and Wesson handgun during the last controlled purchase. The sheer amount of crystal meth and other drugs he trafficked makes his sentence a fitting one. As U.S. Attorney Michael Easley noted, ‘Graham’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of our community.’
Graham’s guilty plea on August 4, 2022, marked a significant turning point in the case. He pleaded guilty to the federal charges, which included trafficking more than 229 grams of crystal methamphetamine and using a firearm in connection with such drug trafficking. Graham’s prior state drug trafficking convictions also factored into his sentence.
The Jacksonville Police Department, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF Wilmington Resident Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis M. Duffy prosecuted the case, ensuring that Graham faced the full weight of the law.
Graham’s sentence serves as a reminder that those who engage in armed drug trafficking will face severe consequences. The public should be assured that law enforcement agencies will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking operations in our communities.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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