NEW BERN - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker and District Attorney Scott Thomas announced today that two drug dealers from Pamlico County were sentenced in federal court last week. DON ELBERT LEWIS, 57 of Bayboro, NC and WILLIAM JERRY WARREN III, 24 of Grantsboro, NC were eachsentenced as a result of unrelated investigations carried out by the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Mr. Walker, “These prosecutions demonstrate our continued battle to rid communities from the scourge of drug traffickers who negatively impact the quality of life for law abiding citizens."
On Jan. 10, 2012 LEWIS was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (crack), and five kilograms or more of cocaine. According to the investigation, on several occasions deputies from the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office utilized an informant to purchase cocaine base (crack) from LEWIS and others at his residence on Garrison Lane in Bayboro. Further investigation revealed that LEWIS allowed his residence to be used by prostitutes as well as by other drug dealers to process and sell narcotics in exchange for either drugs or proceeds from the prostitution and drug sales. The investigation revealed that in total, over 14 kilograms of cocaine and cocaine base (crack) were either processed or sold from LEWIS’ residence.
On Jan. 11, 2013, WARREN was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distributing cocaine base (crack) and to possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony criminal offense. According to the investigation, deputies from the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office utilized an informant to purchase crack from WARREN in Reelsboro, NC. At a later date, a concerned citizen gave a tip to a deputy of the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office that WARREN was occupying a vehicle nearby and was in possession of a firearm. Upon being approached, WARREN exited the vehicle and attempted to leave the scene. After he was stopped, WARREN resisted a frisk by the sheriff’s deputy and during a struggle with the officer, kicked a.45 caliber handgun underneath the deputy’s patrol car. After WARREN was taken into custody, bystanders who observed the struggle informed the deputy that they had seen WARREN attempt to rid himself of the weapon during the struggle.
LEWIS and WARREN were also ordered to pay restitution to the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office. LEWIS was ordered to pay $1,520.00 and WARREN was ordered to pay $250.00. If they are unable to pay immediately, they must participate in the Inmate Responsibility Program to work and pay the restitution while incarcerated.
District Attorney Thomas said, “This investigation is part of our ongoing efforts to fight illegal drug activity in our area. The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Department did a good job investigating this case and working with Prosecutor Gus Willis to achieve convictions and prison sentences. We will continue to pursue investigations and prosecutions to address drugs and other illegal activity."
Special Assistant United States Attorney Augustus Willis represented the government in these cases. Mr. Willis is a prosecutor with the District 3-B District Attorney’s Office encompassing Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties. District Attorney Scott Thomas has assigned him to the United States Attorney’s Offices to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters. Mr. Willis’ position is funded through a grant provided by the Governor’s Crime Commission.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
