Roanoke Island Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

GREENVILLE, NC—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on April 13, 2009, MICHAEL EUGENE THRASH, JR., 21, of Roanoke Island, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge David W. Daniel to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack), and 500 grams or more of cocaine powder between June 2008 and August 14, 2008.

This investigation was conducted by the Dare County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, during which multiple controlled purchases of cocaine base (crack) and cocaine powder were made from THRASH by law enforcement. On August 14, 2008, law enforcement executed a search warrant at THRASH’s residence where more than 40 grams of cocaine base (crack) and 120 grams of cocaine powder were found packaged for distribution. THRASH was also found possessing $2,130.00.

The investigation revealed that THRASH had been supplying cocaine base (crack) and cocaine powder in the Dare County, North Carolina area to numerous individuals. THRASH has prior felony convictions for selling cocaine and possessing cocaine.

In response to this case, Mr. Holding stated, “The cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement is essential to dismantling the drug conspiracies operating in our district. We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of the officers in the Dare County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Their fine work has led to another drug dealer being taken off the streets.”

Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Royster served as the prosecutor for the government.