The detention hearing for Sterling Moody, who faces a federal cocaine trafficking count, has been continued until September 22 in Greenville.

United States Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Swank ordered the continuance today, according to federal court records.

The order for continuance comes after a motion filed Monday by the Office of the Federal Public Defender seeking leave to withdraw as counsel for the Weldon man.

The leave to withdraw motion asked the court to find, “Based upon a finding that a conflict of interest would arise if the Office of the Federal Public Defender continued to represent the defendant in this matter, the court concludes that the Office of the Federal Public Defender should be granted an order allowing it leave to withdraw as counsel for Mr. Moody.”

The order does not elaborate on the conflict.

Swank wrote in the order, “This court has determined that the ends of justice outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.”

Moody was arrested last Wednesday following an undercover operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, in which detectives and narcotics agents with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office played a role.