Cocaine Trafficker From Roanoke Rapids Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison

GREENVILLE—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on October 13, 2009, COREY DEVONNE LYNCH, 33, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, was sentenced by United States District Malcolm J. Howard to 235 months in federal prison for his participation in a cocaine and “crack” cocaine trafficking conspiracy operating in and around Halifax County, North Carolina. LYNCH has been in federal custody since his arrest on April 14, 2009. On June 8, 2009, he pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and five or more kilograms of cocaine powder.

The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit, revealed that LYNCH was accountable for possession and/or distribution of at least 38 kilograms of cocaine powder, and more than five kilograms of crack cocaine and had been participating in the conspiracy since at least 2000. The investigation also revealed that LYNCH possessed multiple assault rifles in his home during the course of the conspiracy, a location LYNCH used to obtain and distribute large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine. This case was brought as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation entitled Burnout, investigating importers and multi-level distributors of cocaine,“crack”cocaine,” and marijuana in and around eastern North Carolina. This organization is responsible for the importation and distribution of large quantities of cocaine, “crack” cocaine, and marijuana being imported and distributed into Halifax County and the surrounding areas since at least 2000. To date, 10 people have been sentenced in federal court as a part of this operation, and seven others have been convicted but are federal custody an awaiting sentencing.

Mr. Holding commented, “I applaud the work of investigators assigned to this OCDETF case. These types of organized drug trafficking organizations often engage in the wholesale distribution of a wide range of illegal drugs and related products. Often times they protect their trade with firearms. Certainly that was the case here. The sentence imposed by the Court furthers our ongoing effort to dismantle this organization.”

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Royster served as the prosecutor for the government.