Calvin Colweth “Spoke” Garner Jr. has hired a Greenville attorney to represent him in his federal drug and money laundering case, court documents show.

Myron Hill, Garner’s attorney, declined to comment today.

On October 4, Garner told the court he did not want a court appointed attorney.

Garner remains in federal custody and the court has ordered a pretrial conference on or before October 25. Motions are due by November 8 and response to motions are due November 26.

Garner’s arraignment and trial date have been set for the December term of court, according to documents.

These are the latest developments in the case of the 34-year-old Roanoke Rapids man, considered by law enforcement to reputedly be one of the area’s largest drug dealers.

Magistrate David W. Daniel determined last week there is a serious risk Garner would not appear in court if released and that he would endanger the safety of another person and the community, according to a copy of the detention order.

Daniels also checked other factors for ordering Garner to remain in custody.

They include:

The nature of the charges.

The apparent strength of government’s case.

The defendant’s criminal history.

Allegations of threats to witnesses and allegations of firearms possession.

The lack of stable employment.

The lack of a suitable custodian.

The indictments against Garner were sealed until last week because, according to one document contained in the file, “If the name of the defendant was to be made public prior to arrest, the chances of apprehending the defendant or apprehending the defendant without the threat of violence or public commotion would be significantly reduced.”

Garner, who admitted to rrspin.com last year he solicited money to help get Tavarus “Tater” Ivey out of jail after he was charged with killing Corey “Biscuit” Graham in 2009, was indicted for the following charges:

Count 1 — Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and 5 kilograms or more of powdered cocaine.

Count 2 — Conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Count 3 — Aiding and abetting bank fraud.

Count 4 — Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

Counts 5 through 7 — Aiding and abetting concealment of money laundering.

Count 8 — Concealment of money laundering.

Count 9 — Aiding and abetting concealment of money laundering.

Count 10 — Concealment of money laundering.

Count 11 — Obstruction of justice.

High ranking officials from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office continue to decline to comment on the case.