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Edquan Battle, 35, of Goldsboro, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for his role in a multi-county methamphetamine operation, according to a May 17, 2022 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina. You

“This conviction is a part of our coordinated efforts to dismantle and disrupt the criminal networks that are bringing illegal drugs into our communities,” said Michael Easley, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Battle was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, and distribution of 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine.

According to court documents, evidence presented in court and other documents, on June 27, 2019, Kinston Police and Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office detectives working with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Task Force officers were conducting surveillance on Christopher Walker and observed him meet with Ernie James and Robert Lowery.

“They were observed driving to a residence associated with Battle on Dale Street in Goldsboro. Walker purchased 2 ounces of methamphetamine for the trio from Battle,” stated the release. “Law enforcement stopped the individuals and recovered the methamphetamine.”

Two ATF confidential informants (CIs) purchased approximately 85 grams of methamphetamine from Battle on July 1, 2019 at the residence on Dale Street. “Following this controlled purchase and unbeknownst to ATF, the CIs returned to meet Battle at Dale Street,” the release continued. “Battle sold them a quantity of heroin. One of them overdosed and had to be revived by emergency medical personal with Narcan.”

Duplin County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Victoria Humphrey on July 3, 2019 in the parking lot of Family Dollar in Albertson. “Humphries had 140 grams of methamphetamine that she had previous purchased from Battle. Humphrey had a handgun in a holster on her hip and a small child was also in the car,” stated the release. “Later that day, Duplin County Detectives made a controlled purchase of approximately 110 grams of methamphetamine from Battle in Albertson.”

Battle was ultimately arrested by law enforcement on federal charges.  The investigation revealed that Battle was involved in the distribution of more than 25 kilogram of methamphetamine and seven ounces of heroin from 2018 until the time of his arrest in July 2019, stated the release.

“This prosecution is part of operation ‘Fighting Jelly Fish’ which is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation,” stated the release. “OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.”

Four people have previously been sentenced in federal court for their role in the drug trafficking organization: Christopher Walker, Ernie James, Robert Lowery and Humphrey.

Walker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and received a prison sentence of 112 months.

James pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and received a prison sentence of 123 months.

Lowery pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and received a prison sentence of 70 months.

Humphrey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and received a prison sentence of 108 months.

Easley made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Craven, Duplin, Lenoir and Onslow sheriff’s offices and the Jacksonville and Kinston police departments investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo.

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