Armed Henderson Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Henderson man was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and possession of firearms. On March 20, 2023, Neno King, 31, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

“The Henderson Police Department has made major investments in the federal partnership and the people of Henderson are safer for it,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This city is bringing every law enforcement tool to fight the opioid crisis, and we are proud to partner with state and local police and prosecutors to fight fentanyl trafficking and save lives.”  

Chief Marcus Barrow of Henderson PD stated: “This is just another example of our collective efforts to make our community safer. I’m hopeful the impact is felt across our community.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of heroin suspected of containing fentanyl from King in the Spring of 2022. In March 2022, agents executed a search warrant at King’s residence in Henderson where they recovered three firearms and a substance containing fentanyl.

King has prior felony convictions for possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin (2013), possession of heroin (2015), possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin (2016), and fleeing and eluding arrest in a motor vehicle (2016).

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Henderson Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00335-BO.