Lance Whitaker has been in custody since August and on December 14 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, a quantity of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
This case was part of Operation Burnout, an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and the Nash County Sheriff’s Office targeting multilevel drug traffickers in and around the Halifax and Nash County areas.
To date, 29 individuals have been arrested on federal drug charges as part of this investigation.
Agents with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement and the Scotland Neck Police Department were instrumental in the prosecution.
The investigation revealed he was responsible for the distribution of more than 1,300 grams of crack cocaine and approximately 40 kilograms of cocaine powder since as early as 2000.
He was considered a manager or supervisor in the drug conspiracy and possessed firearms during his participation.
He had previously been convicted of two felony drug convictions in 1999 for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, and spent five months in state prison.
U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding said, “The cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement is essential to dismantling the drug conspiracies operating in our district. We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of the officers in this case. Their fine work led to another drug dealer being taken off the streets for a very long time.”
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Royster served as the prosecutor for the government.
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