Two individuals involved in a drug conspiracy distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine have been sentenced to prison terms, according to Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Ashton Durrell Farley, 32, from Hickory, N.C., received a sentence of 235 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Thomas Eugene Ikard, 46, from Lenoir, N.C., was sentenced to 60 months in prison with an additional four years of supervised release. Both defendants admitted guilt to charges related to the distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The announcement was made jointly by U.S. Attorney Ferguson; Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Charlotte Field Division; Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office; and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department.
Previously sentenced members of this drug conspiracy include Dustin Eric Wilson, 35, from Charlotte, who received a ten-year prison term followed by five years on supervised release; and Harold Marquis Wilfong, 37, from Hickory, who was given an 84-month sentence followed by three years of supervised release.
The charges stemmed from a comprehensive investigation led over ten months by the ATF and the Hickory Police Department. This effort focused on curbing drug distribution activities and related crimes in Catawba County and nearby regions. The investigation revealed that the drug ring operated primarily out of Hickory, distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine locally. Law enforcement used various methods such as controlled purchases and physical surveillance alongside search warrants to dismantle this operation.
Throughout their inquiry, law enforcement officials seized several kilograms each of fentanyl and methamphetamine along with marijuana. They also confiscated firearms used by traffickers in their operations including an AR-15 rifle and a ghost gun among other weapons.
In his statement regarding these developments U.S. Attorney Ferguson acknowledged contributions from both local law enforcement agencies—the ATF as well as HPD—and thanked them for their effective handling during investigations alongside expressing gratitude towards assistance provided by U.S Marshals Service throughout this case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative designed at leveraging full resources available within Department Justice framework towards eliminating illegal immigration cartels transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) while safeguarding communities against violent crime perpetrators via streamlined coordination efforts drawn between OCDETFs (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces) coupled together through Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
