Daniel P. Bubar Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Jesus Anibal Gutierrez, a 27-year-old from College Park, Georgia, has been sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison for his role in distributing crystal methamphetamine in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Gutierrez entered a guilty plea on November 12, 2024.
The investigation into the drug trafficking operation began in July 2023 when law enforcement officials discovered that a drug trafficker based in Mexico had arranged to send substantial amounts of narcotics to the Eastern District of North Carolina. A courier was expected to arrive with a significant shipment of methamphetamine on October 21, 2023.
With the help of a confidential informant, authorities were able to locate the courier's vehicle and conduct a traffic stop. A K-9 unit detected narcotics inside the car, leading to the seizure of approximately 20.74 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and three cell phones. Gutierrez was found as a passenger and admitted his involvement in coordinating the shipment and traveling to deliver it. The driver, Rosendo Salazar, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on March 10, 2025.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced this sentencing following proceedings by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) along with the Goldsboro Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci.
Further details can be accessed through related court documents available on both the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and PACER using case number 5:24-CR-00149.
