Wilson Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in Death

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced SHELTON JAMAAL JONES, a/k/a “300,” 32 from Wilson, North Carolina, to 192 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release and $14,549.52 in restitution. 

On January 10, 2018, JONES was named in a four-count Second Superseding Indictment filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Count One charged Distribution and Possession With the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl, Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury on August 12, 2017. On March 12, 2018, pursuant to a written plea agreement, JONES pled guilty to Count One.

On August 15, 2017, Wilson Police Department (WPD) officers were dispatched to a suspected overdose death on Turner Avenue in Wilson. The victim, age 39, was found unresponsive by a friend. A search of the residence resulted in the recovery of used syringes and empty bags stamped, “Best of Both Worlds.”  An autopsy conducted on August 16, 2017, determined the victim’s cause of death to be acute fentanyl, methoxyacetylfentanyl, U-477001, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and diphenhydramine intoxication.  As part of the investigation, a cooperating witness reported that they purchased heroin from JONES which was stamped, “Best of Both Worlds.”

On August 16, 2017, detectives established surveillance on JONES’ residence in Wilson.  JONES left his residence and drove to a gas station in Wilson where he was observed conducting suspected drug transactions with two subjects. Officers subsequently effected traffic stops and recovered 12 bindles (0.4 gram in total) of fentanyl stamped, “Pink Monkey.”  JONES was arrested and had 241 bindles of fentanyl stamped, “Pink Monkey,” in his pocket.  Detectives executed a search warrant at JONES’ residence and recovered 140 bindles of fentanyl stamped, “Best of Both Worlds,” and $3,100 in United States currency from a safe in the master bedroom, and a 9mm handgun and two magazines underneath the bed.  Subsequently, JONES admitted to the sale of narcotics.

Mr. Higdon commented,  “SHELTON JAMAAL JONES has been an active part of in the opioid crisis.  Fentanyl and heroin distribution cases are destroying our communities; as the Court stated today, the singular factor motivating defendants like JONES is greed.  With the imposition of a 16 year sentence, the people of Wilson can begin to recover from the effects of JONES’ crime.  We are very pleased that the United States Department of Justice could play a role in obtaining justice for the family and the community.  I want to commend the Wilson Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their expedient and excellent work in this case.”

The case is a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) criminal matter investigated by the Wilson Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Edward Gray prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.