Methamphetamine trafficking has once again reared its ugly head in North Carolina, with the leader of a major trafficking ring being sentenced to 30 years in prison. William Andrew Reel, II, 40, of Bessemer City, N.C., was ordered to serve this substantial sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Reel was not the only one to face justice, as his co-conspirators, Kateland Dawn Myers, 25, of Bessemer City, N.C., and Matthew Lloyd Thomas, 32, of Dallas, N.C., also received significant prison sentences. Myers was sentenced to 151 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to drug conspiracy and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Thomas, who previously pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy, distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a felon, was ordered to serve 151 months in prison, and five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, the trafficking ring, led by Reel, conspired to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine from Georgia into North Carolina, which were then distributed locally in Gaston County and elsewhere. The operation was extensive, with Reel, assisted by Myers and Thomas, responsible for trafficking at least 30 kilograms of methamphetamine. The investigation, handled by the DEA and the Gaston County Police Department, resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, three firearms, and more than $64,171 in drug proceeds.
The investigation and subsequent sentencing of these individuals is a significant blow to the world of organized crime in North Carolina. U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray praised the efforts of the DEA and the Gaston County Police Department, thanking them for their handling of the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
The sentences handed down to Reel, Myers, and Thomas serve as a stark reminder of the severity of the law when it comes to methamphetamine trafficking. The substantial prison sentences and supervised release periods will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the lives of these individuals, and will likely serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering involvement in such activities.
In a region where methamphetamine trafficking has been a persistent problem, the sentencing of these individuals is a welcome victory for law enforcement and the community at large. The tireless efforts of the DEA, the Gaston County Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have resulted in the disruption of a major trafficking ring, and will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more secure environment for the people of North Carolina.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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