Date: 07-24-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 5:17-cr-00346-D-3

Judge: James C. Dever, III

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (Wake County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Brad Knott and Matthew Lee Fesak

Defendant's Attorney: Stephen Webb

Description: Raleigh, NC - Wilson County Woman Sentenced To Prison For Drug Trafficking

Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced CRYSTAL MARIE PATE, 32 from Lucama, North Carolina, to 138 months in prison, followed by 5 years of federal supervised release. PATE was part of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Wilson and Nash County region. On February 20, 2018, PATE pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, and a Quantity of Heroin; and one count of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime while Aiding and Abetting another.

In 2015, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) identified a drug-trafficking organization (DTO) led by PATE and her co-defendants. Shortly after identifying the suspects, the investigation into the DTO began.

The investigation consisted of the use surveillance, seizures, controlled PURCHASES of multiple types of drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, and assorted pills. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant resulting in the recovery of drug packaging materials, quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances.

The Court determined that PATE was responsible for the distribution of 10.38 grams of heroin and 23.81 grams of methamphetamine, and the possession of a firearm in furtherance of her drug trafficking activity – specifically a .44 Caliber Charter Arms handgun.

The case was investigated by the Wilson County Sherriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Count:

Conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five (5) grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin
(1)

Outcome: Bureau of Prisons - Count 1: 78 months - Count 12: 60 months and shall run consecutively (Total term: 138 months) - Supervised Release - Counts 1 and 12: 5 years per count and shall run concurrently (Total term: 5 years) - Special conditions imposed - Special Assessment - Count 1: $100.00 - Count 12: $100.00 (Total of $200.00 due in full immediately) - Defendant shall support dependents while incarcerated - Recommendations by the Court: Defendant shall receive intensive substance abuse treatment - Vocational and educational training opportunities - Place of incarceration at the Federal Correctional Institution - Alderson, West Virginia. Counts 2, 7, 8, 9 and 11 are dismissed. Remanded to custody.

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge James C. Dever III in Raleigh: Defendant present with counsel and Assistant U.S. Attorney present for USA - Defendant sworn. Sentencing held on 7/20/2018 for Crystal Marie Pate (3). Bureau of Prisons - Count 1: 78 months - Count 12: 60 months and shall run consecutively (Total term: 138 months) - Supervised Release - Counts 1 and 12: 5 years per count and shall run concurrently (Total term: 5 years) - Special conditions imposed - Special Assessment - Count 1: $100.00 - Count 12: $100.00 (Total of $200.00 due in full immediately) - Defendant shall support dependents while incarcerated - Recommendations by the Court: Defendant shall receive intensive substance abuse treatment - Vocational and educational training opportunities - Place of incarceration at the Federal Correctional Institution - Alderson, West Virginia. Counts 2, 7, 8, 9 and 11 are dismissed. Defendant advised of appeal rights. Remanded to custody. (Court Reporter Wanda Constantino) (Jenkins, C.) (Entered: 07/20/2018)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: