Bryan Torres, a 24-year-old resident of Cherryville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for drug and gun-related offenses. The announcement was made by Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Court documents reveal that between October 2022 and January 2023, Torres was involved in drug trafficking activities in Gaston County. During this period, law enforcement officials conducted multiple controlled purchases from Torres, acquiring methamphetamine, over 250 fentanyl pills, powder fentanyl, heroin, and other substances. It was noted that Torres was armed during at least one of these transactions.
A search warrant executed on February 2, 2023, at Torres's residence resulted in the seizure of five firearms and ammunition along with additional quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
On February 29, 2024, Torres pleaded guilty to charges of distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He will remain in federal custody until he is transferred to a designated federal facility under the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation into Torres's activities was a joint effort involving several agencies: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Cherryville Police Department, and the Gaston County Police Department.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handled the prosecution. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
For further details about Project Safe Neighborhoods in the Western District of North Carolina, more information is available on their website.