Southport Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Offenses

 RALEIGH, N.C. – A Southport man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for six counts of Distribution of Cocaine Base (Crack), one count of Distribution of Cocaine, and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.

According to court documents, Terrance Leon Washington, 36, pleaded guilty to the charges on August 7, 2018.

In early 2017, investigators with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office received information that Washington was selling controlled substances from Washington’s home in Southport, North Carolina.

On February 2, 2017, investigators conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that was leaving Washington’s home, and cocaine was found in the car.

Agents obtained a search warrant, and at Washington’s residence, agents seized 15.02 grams of cocaine, 3.87 grams of cocaine base (crack), marijuana, plastic bags, digital scales, a 12-gauge shotgun, a 7.62 assault rifle with a 30-round magazine, a .40 caliber handgun, and ammunition of various calibers.

A few months later, agents learned that Washington was continuing to sell controlled substances, and investigators used a confidential informant to purchase cocaine and cocaine base (crack) from Washington on seven dates from June 22, 2017 to December 15, 2017.

On August 26, 2017, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Washington. He was found with a white substance around and inside his mouth, and he admitted he had ingested cocaine base (crack) prior to the traffic stop, a tactic that is often used to prevent investigators from finding the drugs.

On December 15, 2017, investigators obtained a second search warrant for Washington’s residence, and investigators seized 9.4 grams of cocaine base (crack), 3.8 grams of cocaine, marijuana, a marijuana grinder, and digital scales.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott A. Lemmon  prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:18-CR-0039-D-1.