Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Henderson man was sentenced January 8, 2024 to 120 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and possession of firearms, including a firearm loaded with a large capacity magazine, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina.  Tyrik Pettaway, 21, pleaded guilty on July 11, 2023 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl.

“The unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of the Henderson Police Department have been instrumental in upholding justice and ensuring the safety of our community,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley. “Their exemplary commitment to teamwork among state and federal law enforcement is commendable and emboldens public trust in our justice system.”

“Our collaboration with the Eastern District of North Carolina US Attorney’s Office continues to benefit our community,” commented Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. “The efforts of all involved are evident. I am hopeful this sentence gives pause to those in our community walking a similar path.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, after receiving multiple reports that Pettaway and Neno King were dealing drugs, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of suspected heroin containing fentanyl from Pettaway and King in the spring of 2022. “In March 2022, agents executed a search warrant at a residence used by Pettaway in Henderson where they recovered a firearm with a large capacity magazine and approximately 1,100 dosage units of a substance containing fentanyl, rifle ammunition, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia,” stated the release.

“Pettaway has prior felony convictions for possession of a stolen firearm (2020), possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin (2020 and 2021), and breaking and entering to terrorize (2020),” the release. continued. “King pled guilty to drug trafficking and gun charges in March of this year and was sentenced to 180 months in prison in August.”

Easley made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Henderson Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!