Skip to main content
Press Release

Fayetteville Man Convicted of Kidnapping, Drug and Gun Offenses – Faces at Least 20 Years in Prison

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina

WILMINGTON, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael Easley announced that late Friday, Yomere Juan Busbee, 38, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was convicted in federal court following a three-day trial before Chief United States District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The jury found Busbee guilty on all five counts: conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, including of a minor, conspiracy to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base (crack), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and felon in possession of a firearm. Busbee faces a sentence of no less than 20 years and up to life in prison at sentencing.

“This case is about the victims, including a toddler, who suffered at the hands of a violent pimp and drug dealer,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “My office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who are perpetrating violence in our communities.

According to evidence presented at trial, in December 2018, Busbee and two co-defendants, James Calvin McEachern, Jr. and Merianda Gray, held three adult victims, and a two-year-old child in a hotel room against their will for several hours after Busbee, a violent pimp and drug dealer, believed he was missing several hundred dollars and accused the victims of stealing it. During the incident Busbee, McEachern, a fellow drug dealer, and Gray threatened the victims and did not allow them to leave.  Several of the victims were physically and sexually assaulted and tased. Eventually, one of the victims was able to get a message to a family member who called authorities. Busbee fled when he learned authorities were on the way, and three of the victims were able to escape.  Officers with Fayetteville Police Department were able to retrieve the final victim from the room without incident.

Fayetteville Police Department detectives investigated the kidnapping, and eventually apprehended Busbee at a different Fayetteville hotel on January 17, 2019. A search of Busbee’s vehicle and the hotel room recovered large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base (crack), as well as two firearms, one of which was stolen. Gray previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fayetteville Police Department.  Former Assistant United States Attorney Erin Blondel and Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Stephany handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:2020cr00393.

Updated September 6, 2022

Topics
Violent Crime
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses