Antonio Abrego-Bega, 37, a Mexican national, has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine, as announced by U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena J. King. Abrego-Bega's sentence amounts to 135 months, after which he will be under supervised release for five years.
The case against Abrego-Bega unfolded when law enforcement, informed of his illegal activities, coordinated with a confidential informant who managed to purchase over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm from him in September 2021. Following several controlled purchases where more drugs and firearms were exchanged, he was arrested on October 20, 2021. At the time of his arrest, authorities confiscated approximately 334 grams of methamphetamine, and digital scales from him. This, according to the announcement made by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
On February 22, 2023, Abrego-Bega entered a guilty plea for his offense of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be transferred to the federal Bureau of Prisons, completing the transition from federal custody. The investigation that led to Abrego-Bega's sentencing was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF's Charlotte Field Division, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings had joined U.S. Attorney King to make the announcement. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William Wiseman, who is sworn in both state and federal courts. Wiseman, a state prosecutor from the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District, was assigned to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte as part of a partnership initiative. The successful prosecution reflects the combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement to tackle violent crime and drug trafficking.
Abrego-Bega's sentencing is highlighted as a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative seeking to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched a strengthened violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which aims to promote community safety through focused law enforcement and strategic community partnerships.
