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Methamphetamine Bust Lands Jacksonville Man 14-Year Prison Sentence
A 45-year-old man from Jacksonville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 170 months in prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine operation. Michael Dennis, a resident of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to the charge on May 23, 2023, and was sentenced on [no date given] by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.
The investigation into Dennis’s activities began in 2021 and 2022, when he had multiple run-ins with Onslow County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) deputies. On November 6, 2021, deputies conducted a search of Dennis’s home on Blue Creek Road in Jacksonville in connection with a murder investigation. During the search, they found 24 grams of methamphetamine and cutting agents in Dennis’s bedroom.
Deputies returned to the home on November 16, 2021, to assist with a probation search and seized another 76 grams of methamphetamine, along with other drug items. At that time, Dennis was on probation for Financial Card Theft convictions.
On January 19, 2022, OCSO deputies were conducting surveillance at a Hubert, North Carolina, home after receiving complaints about drug activity. Deputies stopped a vehicle that was leaving that home and identified Dennis as the driver. A search uncovered an additional 49 grams of methamphetamine.
During a post-arrest interview, Dennis confessed to having a pound of methamphetamine at a residence on Bratten Drive in Jacksonville. Deputies seized another 986 grams of 96% pure crystal methamphetamine, 11 grams of heroin, and $2,000 in cash from that address.
Dennis’s federal conviction follows 11 prior North Carolina state felony convictions, including two counts of common law robbery, attempted common law robbery, two counts of larceny from a person, and three counts of financial card theft.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted. The case is part of an ongoing effort by law enforcement to combat the illicit drug trade in North Carolina.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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