Daniel P. Bubar Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina
A man from Sampson County, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison following his guilty plea to charges related to drug trafficking and firearms possession. Antonio Tamoya Mondragon, aged 45, admitted guilt on November 7, 2024.
Court documents reveal that Mondragon was born in Mexico and entered the United States illegally. He began distributing drugs in 2008. Authorities started investigating him in 2019 and conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from him on three occasions.
The investigation led to a traffic stop and subsequent search warrants executed on April 18, 2023. Law enforcement officers observed activity at Mondragon's residence involving package transfers into a vehicle. During the traffic stop, nearly nine kilograms of cocaine were discovered hidden in the car's headliner. A second vehicle leaving Mondragon's house was later searched, revealing seven kilograms of fentanyl, nine kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, 144 grams of methamphetamine, a drug ledger, eight guns with ammunition, and $28,881 in cash.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The case was investigated by the DEA, Sampson County Sheriff's Office, and SBI with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuting.
Further information can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER under Case No. 7:24-CR-040.
