RALEIGH, N.C. - A Raleigh man was sentenced today to 143 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, crack, and heroin.
Jawone Reginald Bennett, 42, was named in a four-count indictment filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina on April 17, 2019. Count One charged Distribution of a Quantity of Cocaine Base (Crack); Count Two charged Possession with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Marijuana, Cocaine, and 28 grams or more of Cocaine Base (crack); Count Three charged Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Count Four charged Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. On Nov. 27, 2019, pursuant to a written plea agreement, the defendant pled guilty to Counts Two and Four.
Based upon to court documents, in August 2018, a drug investigation began focusing on Bennett after a confidential informant advised the Raleigh Police Department about Bennett being engaged in drug trafficking activities. On Aug. 23, 2018, agents utilized a confidential informant to purchase crack cocaine from Bennett at a local hotel where he was staying. On Aug. 24, 2018, a search warrant was executed on Bennett’s hotel room. Based on the sale of crack cocaine and the search warrant on Bennett’s hotel room, he’s accountable for possessing 59.83 grams of crack cocaine, 28.15 grams of cocaine powder, and 154.62 grams of marijuana. Additionally, Bennett was in possession of two firearms that he used to further his drug tracking sales.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Smith 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. 5:19-cr-00171-D-1.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
