An Onslow County man is headed to prison after pleading guilty in Onslow County Superior Court Monday to charges from a 2022 incident.
Daniel Lee Curtiss pled guilty to trafficking in opium/heroin — level 3 and possession of a firearm by felon, receiving a sentence of 225-282 months, or roughly 19-24 years, in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, according to a Wednesday news release from District Attorney Ernie Lee.
Curtiss was also ordered to pay the mandatory $500,000 fine.
The state was represented by Assistant District Attorney Brittany Hart, while the defendant was represented by Stuart Popkin. The presiding judge was Matthew T. Houston.
The evidence showed that on June 15, 2022, detectives with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit were conducting surveillance of an address on Blue Creek Road in Jacksonville where there had been several Crime Stoppers tips, as well as citizen complaints, regarding the use and distribution of narcotics.
While conducting surveillance, the release said detectives noticed a vehicle go to the residence, stay a short period of time, and then leave. Detectives followed the vehicle, observed several traffic violations, and conducted a traffic stop.
The vehicle was being operated by Curtiss, who did not have a valid driver’s license, according to the release. OCSO K9 Bonito was deployed and gave a positive alert to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was performed by detectives on scene, and several containers, baggies, a scale, narcotics and other paraphernalia were located in the vehicle, as well as a handgun.
Because Curtiss is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm, the release explained.
The substances in Curtiss’ possession were tested by the state crime lab and found to be positive for 64.37 grams of fentanyl. Other substances in Curtiss’ possession tested positive for methamphetamine.
The OCSO Drug Enforcement Unit investigated this case, and the lead agent was Detective Brad Reader.
The release said Lee’s office appreciates the strong efforts of Sheriff Chris Thomas and OCSO in the enforcement of the controlled substance laws of this state.
Fentanyl and methamphetamine are wreaking havoc on Onslow County, North Carolina, and the nation, the release said, destroying lives. All efforts must be made to combat not only the sale and delivery of these dangerous drugs, but to decrease the market for these drugs, the release added.
The DA’s office looks forward to continuing to fight the war on drugs with all law enforcement agencies.
