Reginald Williams, Fentanyl Distribution, North Carolina 2024

In a shocking turn of events, 36-year-old Reginald Williams has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for distributing fentanyl in Charlotte, North Carolina. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced the sentence, which also includes four years of supervised release upon Williams’ release from prison.

Williams’ troubles began when law enforcement learned that he was trafficking narcotics, including fentanyl, in the Charlotte area. On July 9, 2020, an undercover officer posed as a drug supplier, and Williams told the officer that he wanted to buy two kilograms of cocaine. He agreed to pay for one kilogram in cash and would trade firearms as payment for the second kilogram.

On August 12, 2020, Williams met with the undercover officer to execute the drug transaction. He placed four firearms, including two rifles and two semiautomatic pistols, in the trunk of the officer’s vehicle, along with a bag containing $37,800 in cash. Williams was arrested on the scene.

A search warrant was executed at an apartment Williams used to store drugs, yielding fentanyl, plastic baggies, and other items consistent with drug distribution. A search of his residence uncovered quantities of fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, a revolver, and ammunition, as well as $23,748 in cash, which was deemed to be drug proceeds.

During the investigation, Williams admitted to buying kilogram quantities of fentanyl and heroin, which he further distributed to others. He also admitted to illegally obtaining firearms from a gun trafficking source.

On December 20, 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and marijuana. He has been in federal custody since the arrest and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shavonn Bennette prosecuted the case, which is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities.

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