24 serving federal prison sentences for cocaine conspiracy

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — The last of two dozen suspects was sentenced federally last week in connection with a conspiracy to possess crack cocaine.

Twenty-four defendants from McDowell and Buncombe counties have now been sentenced to a total of 162 years in federal prison.

“This has made a significant impact on the availability and distribution of crack cocaine in our area,” said McDowell County Sheriff Dudley Greene. “We appreciate the cooperation of the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Marion Police Department, Old Fort Police Department, our local district attorney’s office and the SBI. Without their cooperation, we wouldn’t have been able to put this case together.”

Last Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger handed Mario Lamond Carson, 29, ofOak AvenueinMariona 60-month active prison sentence, which is to be followed by four years of supervised release.

Carsonis one of 11 defendants federally indicted on Oct. 5, 2010, on one count of conspiracy to possession with intent to distributed in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine. According to a release from the office of U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins of the Western District of North Carolina, the defendants were engaged in a conspiracy to distribute significant amounts of crack cocaine in McDowell and Buncombe counties.

The other 10 defendants named in the indictment and their sentences are as follows:

-- Raymond D’Angelo Allen, 33, ofAshevillewas sentenced on Feb. 16 to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Reggie Lamont Battle, 33, ofAshevillewas sentenced on Jan. 19 to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Shawn Terrill Boyce, 40, ofMarion(specific address unknown) was sentenced on Sept. 22, 2011, to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

-- Jonathan Keith Daniels, 41, ofAshevillewas sentenced on Nov. 17, 2011, to 100 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Derrick Edward Forney, 26, ofWest Grayson StreetinMarionwas sentenced on Sept. 22, 2011, to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

-- Brandon Dion Ledbetter, 26, ofMarion(specific address unknown) was sentenced on July 7, 2011, to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

-- Carlos Keno Twitty, 39, ofWest Henderson StreetinMarionwas sentenced on Sept. 22, 2011, to 33 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

-- Brandon Michael Walker, 25, ofWest Wilhemenia StreetinMarionwas sentenced on July 7, 2011, to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

-- Nicholas Raymond Wilkerson, 34, ofCarolina AvenueinMarionwas sentenced on Sept. 21, 2011, to 33 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

-- N’namdi Eva Young, 30, ofYancey StreetinMarionwas sentenced on Nov. 17, 2011, to 18 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

In addition, a separate indictment filed on June 1, 2010, charged 13 other defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of using a communication facility (cell phones) to further these offenses. The U.S. Attorney’s Office release stated that the 13 individuals conspired to distribute significant amounts of crack cocaine in McDowell and Buncombe counties.

All 13 defendants entered guilty pleas and were sentenced in U.S. District Court. They are as follows:

-- Kingsley Eke Agbaeze, 27, ofNix Creek RoadinMarionwas sentenced on Aug. 29, 2011, to 41 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

-- Jesse Paul Harrison Allison, 22, ofCole Hill Roadin Old Fort was sentenced on Sept. 21, 2011, to 50 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

-- Cedric Ranell Boyd, 31, ofAshevillewas sentenced on May 25, 2011, to 70 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

-- Barrett Jameston Carson, 24, ofBlackMountainwas sentenced on July 6, 2011, to 46 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Willie Jermille Chappell, 29, ofAshevillewas sentenced on July 7, 2011, to 210 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

-- Lekeashia Lynette Conley, 37, ofRidley StreetinMarionwas sentenced on March 17, 2011, to 34 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

-- Chrisshawn DeLee Folston, 28, ofButchers Branch Roadin Old Fort was sentenced on July 7, 2011, to 168 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

-- Anthoney Shane Harper, 25, ofBlackMountainwas sentenced on Sept. 22, 2011, to 57 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

-- Jarrod Deandre Hausley, 24,Cemetery Streetin Old Fort was sentenced on Sept. 21, 2011, to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Antonio Edward King, 23, ofHarlowe Noblitt Roadin Old Fort was sentenced on May 25, 2011, to 70 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Deandre Dorian Lytle, 30, ofCemetery Streetin Old Fort was sentenced on Nov. 16, 2011, to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Joshua Aurrick Toms, 28, of Tomahawk Trail inMarionwas sentenced on Aug. 29, 2011, to 345 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

-- Markeenus Cleavon Wilkerson, 36, ofH&S Park DriveinMarionwas sentenced on July 7, 2011, to 168 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

WSOC