James Hathcock, a 45-year-old resident of New Jersey City, NJ, has been sentenced to 68 months in prison for distributing drugs in Pollocksville. Hathcock pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm related to a drug crime and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
Court records indicate that law enforcement began investigating possible drug activity on Nguyen Lane in Pollocksville in February 2023. Between March 3 and April 20, 2023, authorities conducted seven controlled purchases using a confidential source (CS), during which Hathcock supplied the CS with cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Hathcock often met his supplier, co-defendant Robert Milton Green, before completing these transactions.
Following a controlled purchase on April 20, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at the residences of both Hathcock and Green. At Hathcock's residence, they seized various drugs including crack cocaine, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana; firearms including a .380 caliber handgun and two .45 caliber handguns; ammunition; digital scales; and Narcan nasal spray bottles. From Green's residence, they confiscated crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, heroin; and $10,800 in U.S. currency.
Green received an 11-year sentence on October 25, 2024. He was charged with possessing with intent to distribute significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine.
Michael F. Easley announced the sentencing after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II delivered it. The investigation involved multiple agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Department of Homeland Security; Jones County Sheriff's Department; Craven County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case.