A 35-year-old Franklin County man, Olegario Pineda-Palacios, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to methamphetamine trafficking. According to a statement from the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Pineda-Palacios admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine. The official announcement was made on Tuesday, following the sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.
Special Agent Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte, which covers both North and South Carolina, emphasized the importance of the sentencing by saying, “This sentence underscores the destructive impact that drugs, like the methamphetamine Pineda was distributing, has on the community.” Morant emphasized that "HSI and our law enforcement partners have an unwavering commitment to find, arrest and prosecute those involved in trafficking these dangerous drugs in our communities." Before being caught by law enforcement, Pineda-Palacios had been coordinating with individuals in Mexico to receive shipments of methamphetamine, as stated by the United States Attorney's Office.
Investigations leading to Olegario Pineda-Palacios's arrest began after authorities intercepted a shipment of about four kilograms of methamphetamine in September 2022. A search of his home uncovered methamphetamine, a lab for making crystal meth known as "Ice," and a 9mm firearm. Pineda-Palacios has a criminal history, including felony convictions for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, and illegal reentry after being deported. At the time of his latest arrest, he was in the country illegally and will face deportation after serving his 25-year prison sentence. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Peaden, with help from Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement, as reported by the United States Attorney's Office.
