Dequan Tyrie Payton, a 33-year-old resident of Asheville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 262 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina announced the sentencing, which includes a five-year period of supervised release after imprisonment.
The announcement involved cooperation from several law enforcement leaders, including Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department.
Court documents and the sentencing hearing disclosed that Payton engaged in illegal activities from September to November 2023, distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Asheville area. Payton reportedly sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on at least three occasions to a confidential informant collaborating with the ATF and distributed nearly four grams of fentanyl to the same individual. During his apprehension on April 9, 2024, Payton attempted to evade arrest and discarded a bag containing approximately 11 grams of cocaine.
On August 19, 2024, Payton entered a guilty plea to a single count of methamphetamine distribution. Due to previous drug-related convictions in North Carolina, Payton was classified as a career offender, leading to a heightened sentence.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson commended the ATF, DEA, and Asheville Police Department for their roles in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle M. Chambers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville. Chambers is also a state prosecutor with the 43rd Prosecutorial District's office and was appointed by District Attorney Ashley Welch to serve as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) in Asheville. Chambers is qualified to operate in both state and federal judicial systems. The SAUSA position signifies a collaborative effort between the 43rd Prosecutorial District's office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ensuring robust prosecution of federal cases within the region.