GREENSBORO — An Ellerbe man is one of nearly 40 people charged in a federal indictment with conspiring to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride.
Corneillous Deonte Staley, 33, also known as “Sosa,” is one of 38 people charged with narcotics distribution conspiracy in an indictment unsealed on December 10, according to Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Other local defendants in the lawsuit are:
The cast of Mount Gilead includes Nicholas Tyler Curry, Trent Dashun Starnes, Amya Kyonna Gordon, and Katey Ann Lamonds, while Candor includes Kelly Emanual Harrington Jr., Erick Lemar Pollard, Christopher Trelonnie Everette, Damon Lee Ingram, Lewis Rondez Pratt, Camarious Kison Phillips, and Justin Rand Allen.
Jackson Springs – Ray Cozart Jr., Scottie Perett Stanback, and Xavier Fabrice Ellis
Ten of the 38 defendants are also accused with conspiring to launder money.
Federal prosecutors say everyone but one suspect is in custody, with eight of them outside the Middle District.
The investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which “identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks,” according to a press release.
In addition to many federal agencies — United Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security, IRS, FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service — various state and local authorities aided in the investigation:
Alcohol law enforcement in North Carolina includes police departments in Candor, Fayetteville, and Mesa, as well as sheriff’s offices in Harnett, Moore, Montgomery, and Stanly counties.
If convicted, authorities believe the accused may face life in jail. Those charged with money laundering might face an additional 20 years.
All defendants who face criminal charges are deemed innocent until proven guilty in court.