Repeat Offender Under Federal Supervision Is Sentenced To Over 15 Years for Drug And Gun Crimes

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - John Quentin London, 39, of Hendersonville, N.C., was sentenced today to 188 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release for drug and gun offenses, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. London's 15+ year sentence will run at the expiration of an additional 24 months he was ordered to serve for violating his federal supervised release.

Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Lowell S. Griffin of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.

According to court records and the sentencing hearing, in early 2024, law enforcement learned that London was distributing drugs in the Henderson County area while on federal supervised release for a firearm conviction.

On April 18, 2024, deputies with the HCSO conducted a traffic stop of London's vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized two clear plastic bags containing 9.08 grams of methamphetamine and digital scales. The items were found in a magnetic case under the hood.

On June 13, 2024, deputies with the HCSO attempted to pull over London's vehicle. Initially, London pulled over but then fled the scene, driving in a reckless manner. London eventually slid into a ditch and wrecked his vehicle before fleeing on foot. London was arrested a short time later. Deputies searched London and seized a clear plastic bag containing 1.26 grams of cocaine from his pocket. According to court documents, deputies subsequently executed search warrants at London's residence and the car from the vehicle chase. Detectives seized from London's basement a small amount of suspected marijuana, a digital scale with residue, and a stolen .38 Smith and Wesson model 649 revolver loaded with five rounds. Deputies also seized from behind London's driver's seat a Puma backpack. Inside the backpack, deputies found a total of 58.17 pure grams of meth, 5.06 grams of psilocin, five suspected Xanax pills inscribed with "21," suspected marijuana, two digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia.

On July 25, 2024, deputies with the HCSO initiated a traffic stop on London and located 17.74 grams of pure meth in the center console and a digital scale in the driver's door pocket.

On August 27, 2024, deputies with the HCSO and members with United States Marshals

Service attempted to arrest London on an outstanding warrant. They found London hiding in a camper in Henderson County and he placed under arrest. A loaded 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber and 0.589 grams of pure meth were seized from the camper.

London pleaded guilty on June 30, 2025, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by felon. Court records indicate London has two prior felony state convictions for possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substances and as a result he qualified for an increased sentence as a career offender. He will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF and the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Hess of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Asheville handled 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).