Six Indicted for Drug Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

WILMINGTON – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that alleged members and associates of a narcotics trafficking organization operating out of Wilmington have been indicted for conspiring to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, powder cocaine, and cocaine base (”crack”).  Additionally, firearm charges are pending against four of them.  

The 39-count Superseding Indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on September 26, 2017.   

All of the defendants are from Wilmington and the charges they face are listed below:

• VICTOR EUGENE DORM, aka “VI”; 29
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute twenty eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of powder cocaine
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of powder cocaine
  • One count of manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute twenty-eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base (crack)
  • Eight counts of distribution and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and/or powder cocaine
  • Two counts of use and carry a firearm during and in relation to the distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin
  • One count of use and carry a firearm during and in relation to the manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of crack cocaine and possession of the firearm in furtherance of the same
  • Six counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

• RUFUS LAMAR PARKER a/k/a “Rudy Parker”; 27
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute twenty eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of powder cocaine
  • Six counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine

• SYLVESTER LORENZO HOOPER, JR. a/k/a “Pocket Watch”; 26
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute twenty-eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base (crack) Possession of a firearm by a felon
  • Four counts of Distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack)

• JAMES FLOWERS, aka “Jamaal Greene”, “Chapo”, “Slick”; 24 
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute twenty eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of powder cocaine 
  • One Count manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting
  • One Count use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of firearm in furtherance of such crime and aiding and abetting

• EUGENE TELPHIA GRADY, JR., aka “Taeo”; 31
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack)
  • Three counts Distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack)

• JOSEPH ANTHONY VAUGHT, aka “Gotti”; 28
  • Distribute and possess with intent to distribute a of quantity of heroin
  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of powder cocaine
  • Use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of firearm in furtherance of such crime
  • Attempted interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting
  • Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

All of the defendants charged in the Superseding Indictment are in custody pending trial. 

The charges and allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Wilmington Police Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office; and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.  The federal prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Dennis Duffy and Jacob Pugh.