Fentanyl Trafficker with Guns Sentenced to 12 Years

<_w3a_listitem listvalue="RALEIGH" datavalue="RALEIGH"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="GREENVILLE" datavalue="GREENVILLE"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="NEW BERN" datavalue="NEW BERN"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="WILMINGTON" datavalue="WILMINGTON"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="ELIZABETH CITY" datavalue="ELIZABETH CITY">RALEIGH, N.C. - A Jacksonville man was sentenced to 152 months in prison for selling drugs and firearms at the same time in New Bern and Jacksonville. On March 26, 2024, Fan Troy Staton, age 50, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

"Drug trafficking and guns go hand in hand," said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. "This trafficker dealt guns alongside his fentanyl, including a fifty-caliber rifle. We can't let armed drug traffickers roam our streets and aren't letting up in our support for local communities fighting drugs and violence that has claimed far too many lives."

Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes stated, "This prosecution by U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley's Office, working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners represents another successful example of removing a criminal drug and firearms dealer from Eastern North Carolina and sends a strong message for those who chose to engage in illegal activities."

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Staton sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential informant on ten occasions in 2021, at times including firearms with the drugs. On one occasion, Staton sold the informant approximately 14 grams of fentanyl along with a .50 caliber rifle. On another occasion, he sold approximately 23 grams of methamphetamine, five grams of fentanyl, and a 12-gauge shotgun. In total, Staton distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute over 67 grams of methamphetamine, 69 grams of fentanyl, and 141 grams of cocaine, and he possessed or sold six firearms in connection with his drug trafficking activities.

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle" datavalue="U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan" datavalue="U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III" datavalue="U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II" datavalue="Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt" datavalue="Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard" datavalue="Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard">U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The New Bern Police Department, Craven County Sheriff's Office, Onslow County Sheriff's Office, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigation Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Loeser prosecuted the case.

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. 4:21-CR-71-FL.