On October 29, 2024 several drug dealers were sentenced to prison in Charlotte, NC. The suspects are George Rivens, 38, Paul Kaber, 29, Christopher Townsend, 32, Joseph Connor, 34, Daneon Hansen, 47, Deion Thompson, 30, Joseph Stewart, 36, Naliyah Herd, 26, and Alexis Taylor, 27. The group had 37 kilograms of marijuana during a drug raid.
According to court documents and court proceedings, from at least January 1, 2021, to June 3, 2022, George supplied the members of the drug group with methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine for local distribution in Charlotte.
During the investigation, law enforcement identified a residence in Charlotte the group was using as a drug and cash stash house to store and traffic drugs.
On June 3, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at the stash house, seizing 37 kilograms of marijuana, 16.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 5.7 kilograms of fentanyl, over 2.6 kilograms of cocaine, over a kilogram of heroin, and more than half a kilogram of cocaine base.
In addition, 10 firearms and nearly $30,000 in cash drug proceeds were seized. When law enforcement conducted the search warrant, it appeared that some of the occupants of the stash house had been attempting to destroy evidence by flushing methamphetamine down the toilet.
On the same day, investigators also executed a search warrant at another location used by the suspects, seizing 3.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.1 kilograms of heroin, three firearms, and $60,000 in cash.
From another residence used by George, law enforcement seized $30,303 in cash and two more firearms.
In total, over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized over a quarter million dollars in drug cash proceeds and other assets, including over $100,000 worth of jewelry, a 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, and a residence used by the group to facilitate drug trafficking.
All of the suspects were arrested in 2022. At there 2024 trials, the suspects pled as follows:
George was the leader of the drug ring, he was sentenced to 27 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
A Facebook post shows George Rivens shot a man in both legs at a Longhorn Steakhouse restaurant in 2017.
Paul was sentenced to 172 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Christopher was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
Joseph was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl.
Daneon was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.
Deion was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl; distribution of methamphetamine; and two counts of distribution of fentanyl.
Joseph was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl.
Naliyah was sentenced to a year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Alexis was sentenced to four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
