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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that an operation of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) resulted in 20 defendants being charged and arrested for various offenses, including drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

“An OCDETF investigation is a coordinated federal, state, and local strategy to combat drug trafficking and organized crime, and it is the nation’s primary tool to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations,” stated a March 21, 2022 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Marshals Service, the Brunswick, Bladen and Duplin County Sheriffs’ Offices and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

ATF utilized agents from North and South Carolina as well as Task Force Officers from the New Hanover and Brunswick County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Jacksonville, Goldsboro and Wilmington Police Departments.

“This initiative speaks to the multi-agency commitment to fight crime in Brunswick, New Hanover, Duplin, and Bladen counties in partnership with United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the District Attorney’s Offices, as well as other federal, state, and local law enforcement,” stated the release.

The individuals charged by way of criminal indictment or criminal complaint were:

Jiani Tomaz Alston, 26, of Raleigh was charged with conspiracy to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possess with the intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.

Demetrius Sonaz Alston Jr., 25, of Charlotte, was charged with conspiracy to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possess with the intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.

Kenneth Brown, 40, of Wilmington, was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute twenty-eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base (crack), distributing a quantity of cocaine base (crack) and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Massimo Campana, 30, of Wilmington, was charged with distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kawshie Chapman, 48, of Wilmington, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, possession of a firearm by convicted felon and receiving and possessing a short-barreled rifle.

Ronesha Greene-McNeil, 35, of Leland, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and cocaine, distributing 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and distributing five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

David Hedge, 21, of Wilmington, was charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and quantity of cocaine, distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and distribution of five (5) grams or more of actual methamphetamine.

Anthony Jackson, 31, of Wilmington, was charged with distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Naulege Johnson, 23, of Wilmington, was charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Shamar Keaton, 32, of Riegelwood, was charged with distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Devonte Lewis, 26, of Navassa, was charged with distribution of a quantity of cocaine base (crack), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of a quantity of marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a machine gun and distribution of a quantity of cocaine base (crack).

Juan Martinez, 22, of Wilmington, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Erving Muse, 39, of Wilmington, was charged with distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon). dwayne nixon, 46, wilmington, nc (distribute a quantity of cocaine).

David Pigford, 36, of Clinton, was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and distributing fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Ernest Robinson, 34, of Currie, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Rodna Robinson, 34, of Currie, was charged with distributing a quantity of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, distributing a quantity of cocaine base (crack) and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Anthony Smith, 39, of Clarkton, was charged with conspiracy to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.

Tyquawn Washington, 28, of Wilmington, was charged with distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.

Oscar Williams, 38, of Leland, was charged with conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting, distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.

“We are grateful to the ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals, and all the other agencies involved for their partnership and willingness to participate in this investigation,” stated Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram. “We can always achieve more when working together as a team; this operation is a great example of that. I believe this sends a strong message to anyone thinking they can conduct criminal business in Brunswick County.”

“Our work today will have an immediate impact on this community,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein. “This collaborative investigation, and the arrests made this week, will ensure that many of those responsible for criminal activity in our community remain behind bars.”

“The charges and allegations contained in the Indictments and Criminal Complaints are merely accusations,” stated the release. “The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Gabriel Diaz are prosecuting the case.

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