“Ghostface Gangster” Sentenced to 30 Years for Supplying Meth to a Raleigh-based DTO Run by a Leader of the Pagan Motorcycle Gang

<_w3a_sdt combobox="t" docpart="9F210CACE6DF4ACAA2B40668A54B43C5" id="-150998209" sdttag="Location" title="Location"><_w3a_listitem datavalue="RALEIGH" listvalue="RALEIGH"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="GREENVILLE" listvalue="GREENVILLE"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="NEW BERN" listvalue="NEW BERN"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="WILMINGTON" listvalue="WILMINGTON"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="ELIZABETH CITY" listvalue="ELIZABETH CITY"> WILMINGTON, N.C. - A <_w3a_sdt docpart="0584A1B0C977472B96E78A6FEFA22260" id="849842128" sdttag="City" title="City">Georgia Ghostface Gangster member was sentenced today to 360 months in prison for supplying a Raleigh-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by a national leader of the Pagan Motorcycle Club with methamphetamine. On November 29, 2023, Ted Cannon, aka "Bam," pled guilty to one charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Cannon is one of 20 defendants convicted in this operation, which also led to a 75-year sentence for the DTO's leader.

"This case highlights our comprehensive approach to dismantle the entire drug trafficking networks pumping dangerous narcotics into our communities," said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. "This operation put 20 criminals behind bars for their role supplying drugs across Raleigh and the East Coast."

"ATF has a long history of confronting violent criminal groups and working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt their illegal activities," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. "We are proud to be part of a collaborative effort to identify, arrest, and prosecute the most dangerous drug and firearm traffickers and stop their threats to our communities."

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Cannon, age 49, was identified as a source of supply for methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, other drugs and firearms for Christopher Baker. Baker was convicted by a federal jury in 2022 for drug trafficking, firearm and money laundering charges for his role in leading a DTO supplying methamphetamine in Raleigh and along the East Coast. In July of 2021, after a federal wire uncovered plans by Cannon to sell firearms to Baker, a search of Cannon's residence led to the seizure of 13 firearms, including several high-caliber rifles, various ammunition, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. On November 3, 2021, Cannon was arrested on a state probation violation in Georgia. During his arrest, he was found in possession of about 800 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

The prosecution of Cannon was a part of Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by <_w3a_sdt combobox="t" docpart="9F210CACE6DF4ACAA2B40668A54B43C5" id="-2024937349" sdttag="Judge" title="Judge"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle" listvalue="U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan" listvalue="U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III" listvalue="U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II" listvalue="Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt" listvalue="Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard" listvalue="Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard"> Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Raleigh Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification and United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Sandling prosecuted the case.

Other agencies involved in the investigation include the N.C. Highway Patrol, the Virginia State Police (VSP), the Dekalb County Police Department (GA), the Barrow County Sheriff's Office (GA), the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the Gwinnett County Police Department (GA), the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department (NC), the S.C. Highway Patrol, the Craven County Sheriff's Office (NC), the Lexington County Sheriff's Department (SC) and the Reidsville Police Department (NC).

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. <_w3a_sdt docpart="D6F22D750E7842D898D3A8739F9F9CF9" id="-2067410867" sdttag="Case No." title="Case No.">5:21-CR-00434-M.