Armed methamphetamine dealer sentenced on drug and gun charges (DOJ)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jacquese Dominique Warren, 36, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms, including rifles with high-capacity magazines, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

"Law enforcement in Charlotte has been clear: we are not going to let hotels be turned into havens of crime," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "If you use a hotel room to traffic drugs or guns, your next room will be a federal prison cell."

According to filed documents and court proceedings, in October 2024, law enforcement began an investigation into Warren after learning he was selling narcotics from his hotel room. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled drug buys from Warren. On at least two occasions, an individual cooperating with law enforcement purchased methamphetamine and firearms from Warren, including two rifles fitted with 30-round high-capacity magazines, as well as boxes of ammunition.

Court records show that, on February 8, 2025, Warren was involved in a shootout outside of the hotel where he was staying. Law enforcement responding to the scene obtained and executed a search warrant for Warren's room. During the search, law enforcement seized an AR pistol and a revolver reported stolen, quantities of cocaine base, MDMA, and several boxes of ammunition.

In September 2025, Warren pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and distribution of methamphetamine. He is currently in federal custody pending placement with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The ATF and CMPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Wiseman was in charge of the prosecution.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.