U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
James Hathcock, a 45-year-old resident of New Jersey City, NJ, has been sentenced to 68 months in prison for drug distribution activities in Pollocksville. Hathcock pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm related to a drug crime and intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
Court records reveal that law enforcement received complaints about potential drug activity on Nguyen Lane in February 2023. From March 3 to April 20, authorities conducted seven controlled purchases using a confidential source (CS), during which Hathcock supplied the CS with cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. In many instances, Hathcock met his supplier, co-defendant Robert Milton Green, before finalizing transactions.
Following the controlled purchase on April 20, law enforcement executed search warrants at both Hathcock's and Green's residences. At Hathcock’s home, they seized various drugs including crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine as well as firearms and ammunition. Meanwhile, at Green’s residence, they confiscated larger quantities of similar substances along with heroin and cash.
Green received an 11-year sentence on October 25 for intent to distribute significant amounts of drugs including cocaine and fentanyl.
The sentencing announcement was made by Michael F. Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II delivered the sentence. The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Department of Homeland Security; Jones County Sheriff’s Department; and Craven County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign led the prosecution.
