The attorney representing Omar Ponton, a Roanoke Rapids man who has pleaded guilty to federal fentanyl distribution, filed a motion to part ways with his client.

“There has been an irreconcilable breakdown of communication between (the) defendant and undersigned counsel,” says the motion filed today  by J. Brad Polk, a Raleigh attorney who was assigned to Ponton on June 12, 2024. “Further, (the) defendant wishes to pursue legal remedies that create a conflict of interest that would prevent undersigned counsel from continuing to represent Mr. Ponton.”

The motion does not go into detail and sentencing for Ponton has been delayed until the October term of court.

Polk asks that the federal public defender appoint a new attorney.

Ponton pleaded guilty to distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl on February 10.

He was originally scheduled to stand trial then but entered a guilty plea to count one of his federal indictment.

The count reflects that around April 9 of 2020, the Roanoke Rapids man knowingly and intentionally distributed 40 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

The remaining two counts of the three-count superseding indictment are to be dismissed at sentencing.

Ponton had originally entered a not guilty plea to the counts in November after a grand jury last September filed the superseding indictment which also charged him with knowingly and intentionally distributing a quantity of fentanyl and possessing a weapon while a convicted felon.