RALEIGH, N.C. – A Rocky Mount man was sentenced yesterday to 65 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and distributing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. On September 17, 2021, Cedrick Charles Williams pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Heroin and Cocaine, Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin, Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin and Aiding and Abetting, and two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Heroin and Aiding and Abetting.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, between November 2019 and February 2020, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the Rocky Mount Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigated the drug trafficking activities of Williams, 33, a validated member of the Bloods street gang.
On November 22, 2019, detectives with the Rocky Mount Police Department observed Williams arriving by car at a house in Rocky Mount known for illegal narcotics sales. After conducting what appeared to be a drug transaction, Williams left the residence. Officers with the Rocky Mount Police Department stopped the vehicle for multiple traffic violations and encountered Williams, who refused to provide identification and became increasingly uncooperative. Officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and recovered $4,891 in cash, and a loaded handgun. Williams was also found to be in possession of over 20 grams of cocaine and 21 individual doses of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.
Between February 5 and 17, 2020, narcotics investigators with the Nash County Sheriff’s Office utilized a confidential informant to purchase 28 individual doses of heroin from Williams. Law enforcement quickly learned that Williams made frequent trips to Henderson, North Carolina, to obtain narcotics. On February 20, 2020, deputies with the Nash County Sheriff’s office stopped William’s vehicle during one of these trips as he was returning to Rocky Mount from Henderson. Also present in the vehicle were William’s wife and two minor children. Investigators recovered 100 doses of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl from Williams.
The next day, on February 21, 2020, narcotics detectives with the Rocky Mount Police Department stopped Williams and his wife on another trip back from Henderson. Law enforcement recovered 201 doses of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl from Williams.
Prior to November 2019, Williams had prior felony convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Breaking and Entering and Larceny, and Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Property, and was prohibited from possessing firearms. Williams also had prior convictions for Assault on a Government Official, Assault on a Female, and Assault and Battery.
U.S. Attorney Michal F. Easley, Jr. commented: “The Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina are aggressively combatting drug traffickers and violent gang members. This sentence reflects the coordinated efforts by dedicated federal and local law enforcement agents to protect our community from those who sell heroin and fentanyl on our streets.”
Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone commented, “The collaboration and partnership combined with the exceptional training and dedication the deputies and investigators displayed in this case and others is what reduces crime and makes our communities safer.”
“Our mission here at the Rocky Mount Police Department is to improve the quality of life in the city of Rocky Mount by building partnerships to reduce crime. We value the continued partnership with our Federal Law Enforcement agencies, who assist us in creating a safe environment for all citizens who reside and visit Rocky Mount, NC. The Rocky Mount Police Department will continue to work closely with Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies while providing the highest level of police services to the citizens of Rocky Mount,” said Rocky Mount Police Chief Robert Hassell.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the Rocky Mount Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh prosecuted the case.
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. 5:20-CR-468-BR.
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