Drug Trafficker Who Transported More Than a Kilogram of Methamphetamine From South Carolina Received 210 Months in Federal Prison

 WILMINGTON, N.C. – Neville Singleton, 38, of North Charleston, South Carolina was sentenced on February 17, 2021, to 210 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.

The investigation, along with evidence presented in court, revealed that on August 29, 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made a controlled purchase of 51 grams of actual methamphetamine at a restaurant in Wilmington, North Carolina from Sean Thomas and Singleton. Following the drug deal, Singleton and the undercover officer discussed having Singleton provide him with larger amounts of methamphetamine in the future. Singleton indicated that the methamphetamine was coming from Charleston, South Carolina. 

On August 29, 2019, ATF, with the assistance of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, ordered a quantity of methamphetamine from Singleton and Thomas to be delivered to a hotel in Brunswick County.  When Singleton and Thomas arrived in the hotel parking lot from Charleston, both men were arrested.  Law enforcement searched the trunk and found 1,134 grams of actual methamphetamine.  Between July 2019 and August 2019, Singleton possessed or distributed more than two and a half kilograms of actual methamphetamine into North Carolina and South Carolina.

Singleton had prior convictions for possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession with intent to deliver cocaine in proximity of a school (2003); possession with intent to deliver cocaine (2004); possession with intent to deliver marijuana (2007);  possession with intent to deliver or distribute cocaine, LSD or other drug; possession with intent to deliver or distribute a drug within close proximity of a school (2010); and possession with intent to distribute marijuana (2016).  Singleton was on probation at the time he committed the crimes that brought him into federal court.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office took part in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo 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. 5:20-CR-00005-M.