His sentence was the result of a plea deal struck in November.
Whitaker pled guilty to selling an undercover agent 182 doses of heroin between June 21 and July 23 of 2013 on four occasions in Scotland Neck.
The attorney's office said Whitaker received an enhanced punishment as a career offender based on four previous convictions of selling cocaine.
Investigation was conducted by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and state Alcohol Law Enforcement.
The federal prosecution was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry of the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office.
“I am completely satisfied with the cooperation of all the agencies involved in bringing this heroin dealer to justice,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said this afternoon. “We will continue to work to eradicate drug dealers in Halifax County. Law enforcement has zero tolerance.”
