Patrick Warren Privette, Fentanyl Trafficking, North Carolina 2021

Pembroke Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Crimes

A Pembroke man was sentenced to 160 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Patrick Warren Privette, 34, of Pembroke, was sentenced on May 3, 2021, after pleading guilty to the charges.

According to court documents, on October 15, 2020, officers with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Privette's residence after learning he supplied drugs to an individual that led to an overdose. Inside the defendant's bedroom, officers located a quantity of fentanyl and approximately 50 prescription pills. Additionally, they recovered a Walther .380, model PK380, semi-automatic handgun from an air vent near the nightstand.

Privette was arrested and transported to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, where he waived his Miranda rights and gave a statement. In his statement, Privette admitted to possessing the drugs found in the house and stated that he had been dealing heroin and fentanyl. He also admitted to possessing the gun and needing it for protection. Privette is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

A witness confirmed that Privette had been dealing fentanyl for months, further solidifying the evidence against him. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad E. Rhoades prosecuted the case.

Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II presided over the sentencing hearing. G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the sentencing.

Privette's case is a stark reminder of the dangers of fentanyl trafficking and the importance of holding those responsible accountable. The sentencing of 160 months in prison is a significant blow to those involved in this type of crime, and it serves as a warning to others who may be considering similar actions.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant name: Patrick Warren Privette; Charges: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; City and state: Pembroke, North Carolina; Exact date: May 3, 2021; Sentence: 160 months in prison.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/pembroke-man-sentenced-fentanyl-and-firearm-crimes