US attorney: 17 people indicted in Fayetteville area; guns, fentanyl pills and SUVs seized

U.S. Attorney Michael Easley on Thursday joined the FBI and law enforcement in Fayetteville and Cumberland County to announce the indictment of 17 people related to drugs and violent crimes.

According to Easley, 17 people were indicted by grand juries for federal charges in the last two months and are in custody. Sixteen guns, four auto sear machine gun switchers, nearly 1,500 rounds of ammunition, nearly a kilogram of cocaine, approximately an ounce of fentanyl, 100 fentanyl pills, cash and two luxury SUVs were seized in the joint operations.

Easley also announced three people from North Carolina were convicted in an international fentanyl trafficking ring that operated in multiple N.C. cities, including Fayetteville. The trafficking ring was held accountable for distributing more than 40 kilograms of fentanyl across the country.

The following people from Fayetteville and surrounding areas face federal prosecution for violent crime:

• Norman Vincent Brown, 33, felon in possession of a firearm
• Malik Crawford, 26, interference with commerce by robbery and possession of firearm during a crime of violence
• Joseph Monroe Griffin, 33, felon in possession of a firearm
• Ondrilleis Malloy, 26, felon in possession of a firearm
• Demarco McLucas, 22, felon in possession of a firearm
• Tammy Michelle Mitchell, 42, felon in possession of a firearm
• Anthony Thomas, 27, interference with commerce by robbery and possession of firearm during a crime of violence
• Samuel Thompson, 20,, possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm
• Zaire Whitten, 26, felon in possession of a firearm

The following people were indicted as part of the drug enforcement task force initiative:

• Eric David Black, 30, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Robert James Colt, aka "RJ," 38, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by felon.
• Jean Raymond Desire, aka "Krim," 50, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine; distributing of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine; and distribution of a quantity of cocaine and aiding and abetting.
• Rashard Antwon Hardy, aka "Gump," 42, conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine and abetting.
• Rick Derrell McIntyre, 44, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
• Laron Marcell McIntyre, aka "Rat," 48, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams of more of methamphetamine.
• Natadja Demae Owen, 26, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams of more of a mixture containing methamphetamine; distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and aiding and abetting; and distribution of a quantity of cocaine and aiding and abetting.
• Kenneth Brandon Pomeroy, Jr., aka "Spazz," 38, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm on furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

“As we head into the summer months, when we typically see an uptick in violent crime, we want to send a strong and unified message that this community stands against gun violence and drug traffickers,” said Easley. “We are working with law enforcement at every level to get dangerous, illegal guns and drugs off the streets and put the individuals most responsible for violence and narcotics behind bars. We are using every tool available to keep our communities safe.”