Gastonia Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Prison

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Today, two drug traffickers were sentenced to prison for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in Gastonia, North Carolina, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jesus Rubio, 33, and John Joseph Carl Hay, III, 51, both of Gastonia, were sentenced to 200 months and 120 months in prison respectively, and were ordered to a period of supervised release. Rubio was also ordered to serve an additional 14 months for violating court ordered supervision.

"Peddling drugs is bad enough; when you peddle illegal guns along with it, the danger to our community increases exponentially," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "That Mr. Rubio engaged in this conduct not long after being released from federal prison shows that a sentence upwards of 16 years is necessary here to ensure the safety of our community."

"Every time dangerous drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl reach our streets, the safety and well-being of our communities are put at risk," said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. "These sentences reflect the importance of holding drug traffickers accountable and demonstrate what can be accomplished through strong partnerships among law enforcement agencies. DEA will continue working to protect our communities and advance our commitment to a Fentanyl Free America."

According to court documents, the DEA and the Gastonia Police Department were investigating Rubio and Hay for suspected drug trafficking in Gaston County. During the investigation, a confidential source working with law enforcement conducted multiple controlled drug buys, purchasing methamphetamine and fentanyl from the defendants. At least two times, the confidential source also purchased firearms from Rubio, including a 9mm caliber handgun and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun. Rubio was previously convicted of a federal firearms offense.

Both Rubio and Hay pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rubio also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. They are both in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

In sentencing the defendants, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell said, that it was "apparent that Mr. Rubio did not learn from his previous conviction" and was "concerned" by the fact that he engaged in criminal conduct so quickly after being released from federal prison.

The DEA and the Gastonia Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dana Washington and Sara Kinlaw of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

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.