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A Henderson man was sentenced June 9, 2022 to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina. Joseph Jones Jr., 24, also known as “Woo,” pleaded guilty to the charges on March 16, 2022.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, in May 2020, Jones was identified as a heroin dealer in Henderson. The Henderson Police Department (HPD) utilized a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of heroin from Jones.

“On August 26, 2020, HPD responded to a call for service regarding a heroin overdose victim, who was stabilized with medical assistance. The victim reportedly purchased the heroin from Jones. The same day, HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Jones and found him to be in possession of heroin,” stated the release. “A search warrant was executed at his residence where more than 1000 doses of heroin and more than 11 grams of marijuana were found, along with two loaded firearms including a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol and a Diamondback AM2 9mm pistol. Some of the heroin was bound into ‘bricks’ comprising 50 dosage units and carried stamps such as ‘Devil’s Reject,’ ‘Maestro,’ ‘Shell,’ ‘Uranas,’ ‘Takeback,’ and ‘Natural Flavor.’

“Jones has a lengthy criminal history, including possession with intent manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and conspiracy to sell or deliver heroin,” the release continued.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Henderson Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted.

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