GREENSBORO — An Ellerbe man is among nearly 40 defendants named in a federal indictment, accused of conspiring to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine hydrochloride.
Corneillous Deonte Staley, 33, also known as “Sosa,” is one of 38 individuals from North Carolina, Arizona and Mexico charged with narcotics distribution conspiracy in an indictment unsealed on Dec.10, according to the office of Sandra J. Hairston, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Other local defendants in the case include:
- Mount Gilead – Nicholas Tyler Curry, Trent Dashun Starnes, Amya Kyonna Gordon and Katey Ann Lamonds
- Candor – Kelly Emanual Harrington Jr., Erick Lemar Pollard, Christopher Trelonnie Everette, Damon Lee Ingram, Lewis Rondez Pratt, Camarious Kison Phillips and Justin Rand Allen
- Jackson Springs – Ray Cozart Jr., Scottie Perett Stanback and Xavier Fabrice Ellis
Ten of the 38 defendants are also charged with conspiracy to launder money.
Federal prosecutors say all but one defendant in custody, eight of those outside the Middle District.
The investigation was by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which “identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks,” according to a press release.
In addition to several federal agencies — United Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security, IRS, FBI, DEA and U.S. Marshals Service — several state and local agencies assisted with the investigation:
- North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement
- Police Departments of Candor, Fayetteville and Mesa, Arizona
- Sheriff’s offices of Harnett, Moore, Montgomery and Stanly counties
If convicted, prosecutors say the defendants could face up to life in prison. Those charged with laundering could face an additional 20 years.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
