Sean Smith, Methamphetamine Trafficking, North Carolina 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. – In a shocking display of brazen violence, 32-year-old Sean Smith of Onslow County, North Carolina, was sentenced to 198 months in jail for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring.

According to evidence presented in court, Smith was involved in a series of drug-related crimes, including possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine and possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The investigation, led by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Deputy, began on October 22, 2019, when the deputy was investigating a possible burglary on West Morton Street in Jacksonville. While speaking to an individual at the scene, Smith emerged from the side of the residence and fired a gun at the deputy from a distance of approximately 8-12 yards.

Smith fled the scene but was later found seated on the steps of a nearby residence, where the 9mm handgun used in the shooting was found underneath the porch. A search of Smith’s person revealed approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine and 3 grams of cocaine.

During the investigation, law enforcement obtained evidence that Smith had possessed more than 400 grams of methamphetamine from September 2019 until the time of his arrest.

But what’s even more disturbing is that Smith was captured on a recorded Facetime jail phone call bragging about how he had fired the gun at the officer, even demonstrating shooting the gun and laughing about the incident. Smith also described how law enforcement would be unable to find a large amount of methamphetamine that he had hidden at an earlier time.

Sean Smith was a known member of a violent white supremacist organization and had prior convictions, including possession or distribution of methamphetamine precursors, assault on a government official, and possession of methamphetamine and assault inflicting physical injury on a detention officer or employee. Smith was on probation for possession of methamphetamine and felony assault inflicting physical injury on a detention employee or officer at the time of this offense.

The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation, a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case, and U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle handed down the sentence. The case is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers who risk their lives to keep our communities safe.

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