A Whiteville man, Marion Lamont Flowers, was sentenced to 23 years in prison for drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. On February 9, 2024, Flowers, aged 43, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.
According to court documents, the investigation into Flowers' activities was initiated in 2020 by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Whiteville Police Department, and the Columbus County Sheriff's Office. Between December 2020 and July 2021, law enforcement conducted seven controlled drug purchases from Flowers. On July 20, 2021, a confidential informant arranged a purchase of one kilogram of methamphetamine from Flowers. When Flowers arrived, he was apprehended by law enforcement authorities. The search of his vehicle uncovered 893.8 grams of methamphetamine with 97% purity, over $2000 in cash, and a loaded handgun.
Additional investigation revealed that Flowers operated from an EconoLodge hotel. Agents searched two rooms rented by him, seizing various drugs, including MDMA, Xanax, Alprazolam, Buprenorphine pills, cocaine, and fentanyl, along with nearly $4000 in cash.
Flowers' criminal history spans decades, beginning in 1995 with a conviction for assault with intent to kill and robbery with a dangerous weapon after shooting a customer during a robbery. In 2004, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery after robbing a bank. In 2016, he was found guilty of cocaine-related charges. The sentencing judge noted Flowers' poor conduct while incarcerated, with over 30 infractions for previous convictions.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced the sentencing following U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III's decision. The case was investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Whiteville Police Department, and the Columbus County Sheriff's Office, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons.
Documents related to the case are available on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina's website or via PACER under Case No. 7:22-CR-00135-D-001.