After a thorough federal investigation and trial, Sampson County's own Homer Allen Faison, III has been convicted on drug trafficking charges. The 47-year-old was found guilty on a dozen counts related to the distribution of methamphetamine in East North Carolina, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.
With a stern warning, U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle made the office's stance clear, "This verdict sends a strong message: if you flood our communities with deadly drugs, we will come after you." Boyle's commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking was unmistakable in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Facing up to life in prison, sentencing for Faison is set for February 2026. Initially caught in the crosshairs of Operation Take Back America, the methamphetamine operation stretched from California to the communities of Eastern North Carolina, demonstrating the broad reach of such illicit activities.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort to dismantle Faison's operation, stating, "Through a collaborative effort, ATF and our law enforcement partners disrupted a dangerous drug dealing network that stretched from coast to coast." As recorded in the U.S. Attorney's Office's press release, this partnership played a crucial role in addressing public safety concerns and curtailing the drug network.
Having been instrumental in halting Faison's operation, the role of partnerships between federal and local law enforcement was also emphasized by Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. Faison reportedly managed significant drug shipments and sales from 2020 until his arrest, watching the criminal enterprise from California and enabling the toxic flow of methamphetamine into the homes and businesses of Clinton, North Carolina. Thornton, in discussion with the U.S. Attorney's Office, relayed his appreciation for the support that "allowed us to stop the flow of drugs before they even get to Sampson County preventing overdoses and other catastrophic effects."
The prosecution of the case is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Webb and Charles Loeser, backed by an array of law enforcement agencies including the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and Clinton Police Department among others. The multi-year investigation falls under a broader protective umbrella effort, Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative designed to target violent crime and drug trafficking across the nation.
