U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
Harold Vernard Greene, Jr., 45, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for drug trafficking involving a vehicle with three children present. This is Greene's third federal conviction in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
"Greene is a frequent-flyer federal felon with direct ties to Mexico based drug traffickers," stated U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. He emphasized that habitual narcotics traffickers will not be allowed to operate in the state and cases will be pursued relentlessly.
In January 2023, law enforcement identified Greene meeting with drug couriers in Wilmington. A surveillance operation on March 21, 2023, revealed Greene receiving a package from a courier at a Wilmington mall parking lot and passing it to another vehicle driven by his girlfriend, where three minor children were present. The package contained a kilogram of cocaine.
A search of Greene's apartment led to the seizure of a loaded firearm, bulk cash, drug packaging materials, four cell phones, psilocybin gummies, and marijuana products. Further investigation showed communication with Mexican-based drug traffickers.
Greene's criminal history includes two prior federal convictions: one in 2013 for cocaine trafficking resulting in an 84-month sentence and another in 2017 for possessing drugs while incarcerated federally leading to an additional 24-month sentence. He also has four state felony convictions for drug trafficking.
"This career criminal is a tragic example of individuals who have wanton disregard for the safety of our community," said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.
Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams praised his team’s work on this case: "As is evident with his prior criminal record...he also endangered several children."
The announcement was made by Michael F. Easley, Jr., after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The DEA led the investigation along with SBI and Wilmington Police Department involvement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies.
Court documents can be accessed via PACER or through the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina using case number 7:23-CR-00103-D.
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