Antoine Durel Reid, a 39-year-old resident of Catawba, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Following his prison term, Reid will undergo five years of supervised release.

The announcement was supported by Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte Field Division; Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office; and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department.

Court documents reveal that law enforcement officials were investigating Reid's drug activities in Catawba County. On February 22, 2022, during surveillance operations, Reid was seen entering a vehicle with an expired license plate which led to a traffic stop. A search uncovered a backpack containing a Smith and Wesson SD9 VE 9mm pistol loaded with 16 rounds, nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine, over 260 grams of fentanyl in Ziploc bags, three digital scales, and $1,590.

Further investigation on July 21, 2023, at around 11:15 p.m., involved officers responding to an assault call at a gas station in Hickory. Video footage showed Reid brandishing a pistol during the incident. A warrant was issued for his arrest after officers recognized him from the footage. The next day, law enforcement found Reid outside an SUV at his last known address with suspected drug paraphernalia visible inside the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed narcotics and a black Taurus G2C 9mm handgun similar to the one seen on security footage.

Reid pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. He remains in federal custody pending transfer to a federal prison facility.

U.S. Attorney King expressed gratitude towards the ATF, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, and Hickory Police Department for their efforts in investigating the case. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa from Charlotte.