Dequan Tyrie Paton, aged 33 from Asheville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for methamphetamine trafficking. This announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Officials involved in the announcement include Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) which supervises the Charlotte District Office, and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department.
Court documents and details from the sentencing hearing revealed that Paton distributed about 156 grams of methamphetamine and 3.5 grams of fentanyl within the Asheville region from September to November 2023. During the investigation, Paton sold over 50 grams of methamphetamine multiple times to a confidential ATF informant, and additionally, nearly 4 grams of fentanyl. When police attempted to arrest Payton on April 9, 2024, he fled, discarding a bag containing approximately 11 grams of cocaine.
Paton pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on August 19, 2024. Court records revealed his history of multiple state convictions in North Carolina related to drug distribution. This prior criminal activity led to Paton's classification as a career offender, which resulted in an extended sentence.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson extended his commendation to the ATF, DEA, and Asheville Police Department for their contributions to the case's investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle M. Chambers from the Asheville office. Ms. Chambers, a state prosecutor with the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District, was assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch to serve with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville. This assignment reflects the collaboration between the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, emphasizing the effectiveness and rigor in prosecuting federal court cases that impact local counties.
