A Benson man, Keith Antonio Mcdougald, has been sentenced to 120 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a substance containing fentanyl. The sentencing follows his guilty plea on October 7, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Mcdougald was discovered by Nash County Sheriff's deputies in a disabled vehicle obstructing traffic on I-95. He initially provided a false name and admitted to using marijuana. Deputies found an AR-15 rifle with a large capacity magazine, a 10mm pistol, drugs including heroin and fentanyl mixtures, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Mcdougald claimed he traveled to Virginia for a transaction via Facebook Marketplace and carried weapons for self-defense against potential robbery.
Mcdougald is classified as a career offender due to four prior felony convictions: two counts of felony assault by strangulation, intimidation of a witness, and attempted obtaining property by false pretenses.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the sentence delivered by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Sandling and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Q. Merle prosecuted the case.
For further details or related court documents, visit the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or search PACER using Case No. 5:23-CR-00203-FL.
