U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
A Henderson man has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for armed drug trafficking. Cedric Neal, who pled guilty on August 15, 2024, faced charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, along with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Court documents revealed that Neal, aged 38, had previously served a sentence of 105 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin. He was released from federal prison on July 27, 2022, under supervised release for five years. By January 2023, investigators received information suggesting Neal had resumed his drug trafficking activities while still under supervision.
Investigators conducted seven controlled purchases involving crack and fentanyl from Neal. Search warrants executed at three locations linked to him resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana, and several firearms. In total, Neal was held accountable for possessing 1,205 grams of marijuana, 451 grams of cocaine, 288 grams of fentanyl, nine grams of cocaine base, and five firearms.
The announcement came from Michael F. Easley Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The investigation was carried out by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Loeser prosecuted the case.
Further details can be accessed through related court documents available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or via PACER using Case No. 5:24-CR-40-FL.
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