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United States of America v. Ernest Russell Early, Jr.
Date: 03-27-2025
Case Number: 4:24-cr-0025-M
Judge: Richard E. Myers II
Court: The United States District Court for the District of North Carolina (New Hanover County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: he United States Attorney’s Office in Wilmington
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Wilmington, North Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Click Here For The Best Wilmington, North Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Armed Greenville Fentanyl Distributor Sentenced to 11 Years
Ernest Russell Early, Jr., of Greenville, was indicted for an armed robbery and for possessing fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl. Early, 37, pled guilty to the charges on August 21, 2024.
On August 19, 2023, Early entered the Falkland Mini Mart located on South Main Street in Falkland. He approached the clerk at the back of the store and brandished a black pistol. He then compelled the clerk to return to the register and demanded that he hand over all the money. When the clerk opened the register, Early grabbed $1,500, exited the store, and entered a black Nissan Sentra with New Jersey plates. The cashier followed him outside and was able to obtain a partial license plate number.
Pitt County Sheriff's Deputies responded and located the suspect's vehicle, initiating a pursuit. After initially evading the deputies, Early crashed the car and fled on foot. Deputies were able to collect fingerprints from the vehicle, which had been reported stolen, and later confirmed that the prints matched Early's.
Early remained at large until he was spotted by a detective from the Greenville Police Department on December 8, 2023. The police arrested Early on active warrants in a parking lot in Greenville. During the arrest, they seized 103 counterfeit oxycodone pills and a .40 caliber handgun from his pockets. The pills were subsequently tested and found to contain fentanyl.
Early's criminal history features three state felony convictions and fifteen misdemeanor convictions. In 2013, he was convicted in Wake County Superior Court of common law robbery.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Pitt County Sheriff's Office, and Greenville Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Jake D. Pugh prosecuted.
Wilmington, North Carolina criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with armed robbery and for possessing fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl
Armed Greenville Fentanyl Distributor Sentenced to 11 Years
Ernest Russell Early, Jr., of Greenville, was indicted for an armed robbery and for possessing fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl. Early, 37, pled guilty to the charges on August 21, 2024.
On August 19, 2023, Early entered the Falkland Mini Mart located on South Main Street in Falkland. He approached the clerk at the back of the store and brandished a black pistol. He then compelled the clerk to return to the register and demanded that he hand over all the money. When the clerk opened the register, Early grabbed $1,500, exited the store, and entered a black Nissan Sentra with New Jersey plates. The cashier followed him outside and was able to obtain a partial license plate number.
Pitt County Sheriff's Deputies responded and located the suspect's vehicle, initiating a pursuit. After initially evading the deputies, Early crashed the car and fled on foot. Deputies were able to collect fingerprints from the vehicle, which had been reported stolen, and later confirmed that the prints matched Early's.
Early remained at large until he was spotted by a detective from the Greenville Police Department on December 8, 2023. The police arrested Early on active warrants in a parking lot in Greenville. During the arrest, they seized 103 counterfeit oxycodone pills and a .40 caliber handgun from his pockets. The pills were subsequently tested and found to contain fentanyl.
Early's criminal history features three state felony convictions and fifteen misdemeanor convictions. In 2013, he was convicted in Wake County Superior Court of common law robbery.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Pitt County Sheriff's Office, and Greenville Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Jake D. Pugh prosecuted.
Outcome:
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Ernest Russell Early, Jr.?
The outcome was:
Which court heard United States of America v. Ernest Russell Early, Jr.?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the District of North Carolina (New Hanover County), NC. The presiding judge was Richard E. Myers II.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Ernest Russell Early, Jr.?
Plaintiff's attorney: he United States Attorney’s Office in Wilmington. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Wilmington, North Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Ernest Russell Early, Jr. decided?
This case was decided on March 27, 2025.