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A Wilmington man was sentenced Wednesday, May 25, 2022 to 180 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, over 40 grams of fentanyl and over 100 grams of heroin, all while using firearms to protect his drug dealing, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

Edward Neal Huffman, 39, pleaded guilty to the charges on November 16, 2021.

Huffman sold methamphetamine and heroin to a confidential source on five separate occasions in 2020, according to the release. “For each buy, multiple firearms were present and visible while the drug deal occurred. Ultimately, law enforcement executed a search warrant for a Wilmington hotel room that Huffman was staying in and seized 146 grams of methamphetamine, 80 grams of fentanyl, materials for distributing drugs, and a loaded handgun that was stolen,” the release continued. “A subsequent search of Huffman’s residence led to the seizure of additional drugs and 8 more firearms.”

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 Drug Enforcement Administration and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted.

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