Stanly County Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Firearm and Drug Charges

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – A Stanly County man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday, for firearm and drug offenses, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

EARL CHRISTOPHER TERRY, JR., 34,also known as “E” and “E-Magic,” pleaded guilty on October 15, 2019, to one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On February 26, 2020, TERRY was sentenced by United States District Judge Loretta C. Biggs to 75 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

On April 18, 2019, the Stanly County Sherriff’s Office executed a search warrant at TERRY’s Badin, N.C., residence, finding $9,212 in cash and several dozen rounds of ammunition. In the woods across from the residence, deputies found a Smith & Wesson model M&P 40, .40-caliber handgun, next to bag containing heroin and fentanyl. Analysis later showed that TERRY’s DNA was on the handgun. Because TERRY had a prior felony conviction in Stanly County for three counts of the felonious Indecent Liberties with a Child, he could not possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law. TERRY was arrested on state charges but released on bond. On May 7, 2019, the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office received additional information about TERRY and narcotics, and again executed a search warrant on his residence, finding additional heroin and fentanyl.

Judge Biggs also ordered forfeiture of the handgun and ammunition found in the woods across from TERRY’s residence.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Stanly County Sheriff's Office, Richland County (South Carolina) Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, with the assistance of the District Attorney's Office for Stanly and Montgomery Counties. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eleanor T. Morales and Craig M. Principe for the Middle District of North Carolina.

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