drug dealer sentenced
NEW BERN - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced ELI STAFFORD, 34, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to 420 months imprisonment followed by six years supervised release.
A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on September 9, 2010. On December 15, 2011, following a three-day trial, STAFFORD was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack), a quantity of marijuana, and a quantity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy); using, carrying or possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to the evidence presented at trial, in May, 2010, Tarboro police officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle which STAFFORD was driving. During the conversation, the officer noticed STAFFORD acting erratically. Suspecting that STAFFORD was under the influence of drugs, the officer utilized a dog trained to detect narcotics, who immediately alerted to the presence of drugs. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer found two sets of digital scales; a loaded Lorcin, Model L25, .25 caliber pistol; a bag of marijuana; crack cocaine; and ecstacy.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tarboro Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney John Bennett prosecuted the case.
