Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A federal jury has found Dwayne Pulliam, a resident of Carmel, New York, guilty of Travel Act murder and narcotics offenses. The verdict was delivered after a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern in the Southern District of New York.
According to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, “In Carmel, New York, Dwayne Pulliam, a local drug dealer and employee of a drug rehabilitation center who had previously been convicted of and served over two decades for murder, killed one of his customers—Lori Lynn Campbell—whom he suspected of stealing crack cocaine from his business, and then drove her body to North Carolina, where he buried her in a shallow grave in the woods.” Clayton added: “With its verdict, the jury has held Pulliam responsible for Campbell’s murder, as well as for the harm that he sowed in both New York and Connecticut with his shameless dealing of crack and heroin. This should serve as a lesson: if you commit a crime—if you commit a murder—law enforcement will pursue you relentlessly, and the career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating and prosecuting these righteous cases. If any member of the public has information that they wish to share with us about any unsolved murder, then we encourage you to come forward.”
Court records show that Pulliam has an extensive criminal record dating back several decades. His prior convictions include breaking and entering and larceny (1981), assault with a deadly weapon (1985), firearm possession by a felon and cocaine trafficking (1988), assault on a female and hit-and-run (1992), and intentional murder in New York (1999). He was released on lifetime parole on December 1, 2020.
After leaving prison, Pulliam worked at a drug rehabilitation facility while distributing crack cocaine in New York and Connecticut. He often exchanged drugs for money or sexual favors and used customers as workers.
The evidence presented at trial indicated that on March 28, 2022, Lori Lynn Campbell visited Pulliam’s apartment. Suspecting her of theft, Pulliam confronted Campbell after setting up what he described as a test involving crack cocaine left unattended. When she attempted to leave or call for help, Pulliam strangled her.
Pulliam enlisted another customer to help move Campbell’s car under threat against their family while promising more drugs. He later showed this person Campbell’s body before forcing them to assist him in transporting it to North Carolina. There he buried her remains wrapped in plastic with sulfur powder.
Pulliam continued selling drugs until his arrest.
Pulliam was convicted on charges including Travel Act murder; conspiracy to distribute heroin and significant quantities of crack cocaine; distribution; and possession with intent to distribute those substances. The most serious charges carry maximum sentences up to life imprisonment with mandatory minimums set by statute.
U.S. Attorney Clayton acknowledged contributions from several law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Putnam County Sheriff’s Office; Danbury Police Department; Connecticut State Police; Alamance County Sheriff’s Office; and Caswell County Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Maimin and T. Josiah Pertz from the White Plains Division.
