Edenton Drug Dealer Sentenced to 132 Months in Federal Prison

RALEIGH—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on May 4, 2010, AL KENDELL SPENCER, 32, of Edenton, North Carolina, was sentenced by United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, to 132 months in federal prison for participating in a cocaine conspiracy. SPENCER has been in federal custody since his arrest on June 12, 2009.

On October 21, 2009, SPENCER pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of “crack” cocaine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine powder. SPENCER had been the target of a multi-agency drug investigation being conducted by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement and the Tyrell County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of drug traffickers operating in and around Tyrell County, North Carolina.

According to investigative reports, SPENCER was accountable for more than 75 grams of “crack” cocaine and more than a kilogram of cocaine powder. SPENCER was charged by federal authorities shortly after his arrest on state charges that resulted from a “buy-bust” operation. SPENCER had agreed to sell approximately $3,000 worth of “crack” cocaine when law enforcement initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle he was operating. The drugs were found in SPENCER’s pocket. SPENCER has prior convictions for possession of cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, and escaping from a local jail.Mr. Holding commented, “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 this case. Their fine work led to another drug dealer being taken off the streets for a long time.”

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