Leader and eight members of an alleged polydrug trafficking group sentenced in Charlotte: DOJ

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced that several people reported to have been involved in drug trafficking outside of Charlotte were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 4 months to 27 years.

The group was charged with “mass distribution” of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine in Mecklenburg County. In total, nine members were convicted.

Authorities say that from January 1, 2021, to June 3, 2022, the group’s alleged leader, George Irving Rivens, helped supply methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and opiates to group members.
The cocaine will be distributed in Charlotte.

During the investigation, a home in Charlotte was determined to be a stash house for storing and distributing drugs, according to authorities. On June 3, 2022, the home was searched with a search warrant and the following was reportedly found:

• 16.5 kilos of methamphetamine

• Over 5.7 kilograms of fentanyl

• More than 2.6 kilograms of cocaine

• More than half a kilogram of cocaine base

• More than a kilo of heroin

• 37 kilos of marijuana

• 10 firearms

• Approximately $30,000 in cash

Authorities said that during the search, some people in the stash house tried to flush methamphetamine down the toilet.

On the same day, authorities reportedly seized items from a second location:

Another of Rivens’ homes was also searched and $30,303 in cash and two firearms were allegedly found. In total, law enforcement says they seized more than a quarter of a million dollars in drug cash and more than $100,000 in jewelry, a 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack and “other assets,” including a home used by the group to traffic drugs.

On Tuesday, October 29, the alleged leader of the group George Irving RivensCharlotte, 38, was sentenced to 27 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

Paul Alexander KaberCharlotte, 29, was sentenced to 14 years, four months in prison and five years of supervised release on October 29. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

Charlotte resident on October 29 Christopher Ahmad Townsend(32) was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Josephy Earl ConnorCharlotte, 34, was sentenced to 5 years, 10 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release on October 29. He pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl.

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Daneon HansenCharlotte, 47, was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

Deion Rashaad ThompsonCharlotte, 30, was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl; distribution
methamphetamine; and two fentanyl distribution counts.

Joseph StewartCharlotte, 36, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and was sentenced to one year and 3 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Naliyah Tekayla HerdCharlotte, 26, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

Alexis TaylorThe 27-year-old, Mount Holly, was sentenced to four months and three years probation. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) were part of the investigation.

this one Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation. OCDETF goes after high-level criminal groups through partnerships with different agencies.

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