Three Men Sentenced for Participation in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy in Halifax County

WILMINGTON—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on November 12, 2009, Senior United States District Judge James C. Fox sentenced ELTON BOONE, 48, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, to 270 months' imprisonment, and ALFREDDIE ROBERSON, 38, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, to 207 months' imprisonment for their participation in a drug conspiracy operating in and around Halifax County. LESTER COBBS a/k/a “Shawn,” 36, of Wake County was sentenced last month by Judge Fox to serve 120 months' imprisonment followed by five years supervised release for his participation in the conspiracy and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

BOONE, ROBERSON, and COBBS have been in federal custody since their arrest by federal authorities in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina on January 27, 2009. Their arrest resulted from an undercover operation in which the three men were delivering three (3) kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately $100,000.00, to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. BOONE was held accountable for being an organizer in the conspiracy and possessing firearms during the conspiracy. According to investigators, BOONE was involved in cocaine distribution since as early as 2003, and he was responsible for obtaining and/or distributing more than 350 kilograms of cocaine. BOONE also forfeited his interest in three homes, and a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. BOONE was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release.

ROBERSON was held accountable for possession of a firearm during the conspiracy and obtaining and/or distributing more than 15 kilograms of cocaine during his participation in the conspiracy. ROBERSON was also sentenced to five years supervised release.

This case was part of Operation Burnout, an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, and Nash County Sheriff’s Office, targeting multi-level distributors of cocaine,“crack”cocaine,” and marijuana in and around Halifax County and Nash County. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also participated in this case. To date, 23 drug traffickers have been arrested on federal drug charges as part of OCDETF Operation Burnout.

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