A Johnston County man will spend just over 15 years in federal prison after being sentenced Thursday by a judge in federal court in New Bern.
United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Kenneth Eugene McCoy, 44, of Blount Street, Smithfield to 183 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release. McCoy pled guilty on August 18th to possession with the Intent to distribute 28 Grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana and to possession of a firearm in commission of a drug trafficking crime.
The Smithfield Police Department launched an undercover investigation after receiving information about McCoy’s drug trafficking activities at a residence in the 900 block of Blount Street. Officers learned that McCoy had been selling unspecified amounts of cocaine from the residence. Officers were able to make an undercover purchase of cocaine base prior to obtaining a search warrant for the residence.
On October 16, 2015, McCoy’s house was searched and officers found over 28 grams of cocaine base, a quantity of marijuana, a stolen Hi Point handgun, a RG .22 caliber handgun with ammunition, other assorted drug paraphernalia, and $428.88 in cash in a bedroom. The front and rear entrances to the residence were reinforced with devices to make unwanted entry difficult.
The case was conducted by the Smithfield Police Department, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette is handling the case on behalf of the government.
