WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Sharon Lynn Jones, 46, to 14 years in federal prison for selling meth throughout the Eastern District of North Carolina. Jones pleaded guilty on May 5, 2026, to one count of distributing 50 grams or more of meth.“Jones repeatedly chose to flood this community with meth, and her history shows she had every opportunity to stop,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Our office moved decisively with our law enforcement partners to shut down her operation and protect Duplin County from poison she pushed into Eastern North Carolina.”In May 20125, the DEA and Duplin County Sheriff’s Office identified Jones as a major meth distributor. Investigators conducted four controlled purchases from her during May and June 2025. Later, they stopped her for a traffic violation and found a substantial quantity of crystal meth. Jones agreed to cooperate with law enforcement and was not charged. Over the next two and a half months, Jones continued to sell and possess meth with the intent to distribute. Before these latest convictions, she had two state court convictions in 2024 and 2025 for possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver drugs and eventually received only probation. As a result of those convictions, the federal court system classified her as a career offender.“The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA to better serve the citizens of Duplin County, remove drug dealers that are selling large quantities of illegal narcotics, and help stop these deadly drugs from making it to our streets and communities,” said Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chuck Weaver. “I am grateful for the cooperation and working relationships we have with local, state, and federal agencies.”Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers, II. DEA and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office partnered in the investigation.A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-00103-M-KS.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice