NEW BERN - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today DEMECO LAMONT RICHARDSON, 33, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina was sentenced by United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan to 211 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a two-count Criminal Indictment on December 21, 2011.  On July 16, 2012, RICHARDSON pled guilty to Possession With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Cocaine Base, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a), and to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(iii).

According to the investigation, in April 2010, officers with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department received information from confidential sources that RICHARDSON was distributing narcotics from his residence.  On April 30, 2010, officers executed a search warrant at RICHARDSON’s residence.  When officers encountered RICHARDSON outside the residence, RICHARDSON attempted to flee on foot.  Officers caught RICHARDSON after a brief foot chase and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, RICHARDSON attempted to swallow a bag containing rocks of cocaine base individually packaged for sale.  Officers took RICHARDSON into custody and retrieved the cocaine base from RICHARDSON’s mouth. During a subsequent search of  RICHARDSON’s residence, officers located a loaded .25 caliber pistol, a loaded .22 caliber pistol, .38 caliber ammunition, 2 bags of marijuana, 2 marijuana plants, and drug paraphernalia.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan represented the government.

 

 

Return to Top