ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Keith Ryan Noles, 44, of Marble, North Carolina, will spend the next 296 months in federal prison after being sentenced yesterday for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation. The sentence, handed down by a federal judge, also includes five years of supervised release following incarceration. The bust, a joint effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, effectively dismantled a pipeline funnelling deadly drugs into the Western District of North Carolina.
Noles and his accomplice, Tina Hill, 47, also of Marble, were convicted at trial in March 2024 on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute the drug. Adding to his woes, Noles was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon – a charge that undoubtedly contributed to the severity of his sentence.
The investigation, detailed in court documents, revealed a sophisticated operation dating back to 2020. Law enforcement in Texas initially intercepted a shipment of over eight pounds of methamphetamine, tracing it back to Hill and Noles. Evidence presented at trial showed that a source, or their representative, repeatedly travelled to North Carolina between 2020 and 2021, delivering packages of meth and collecting cash payments. The operation wasn’t just about moving drugs; it was a carefully constructed financial exchange.
Rather than simply seizing the intercepted drugs, investigators orchestrated a controlled delivery. The eight pounds of methamphetamine were allowed to continue towards Hill and Noles’ Marble residence, with law enforcement closely monitoring the situation. Noles was apprehended shortly after arriving to assist with the delivery, while Hill was later arrested at the residence. The carefully planned operation brought the entire network crashing down.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson lauded the collaborative effort, specifically thanking Homeland Security Investigations and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their lead roles in the investigation. He also acknowledged the invaluable assistance provided by the Andrews Police Department and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. The successful prosecution underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling complex drug trafficking schemes.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers. Chambers, a state prosecutor from the 43rd Prosecutorial District assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville by District Attorney Ashley Welch, represents a growing partnership between state and federal authorities aimed at aggressively prosecuting federal crimes impacting local communities. This SAUSA program ensures resources are focused where they’re needed most, delivering results for North Carolina citizens.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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