ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A Morganton man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl in June of 2023.
Police began an investigation into Joseph Mosteller, 42, for potentially trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in Burke and Catawba counties.
On June 2nd of last year, investigators located Mosteller’s vehicle at a hotel parking lot in Hickory when a suspect, carrying a shoebox containing methamphetamine, approached his vehicle.
Law enforcement attempted to arrest Mosteller before he drove off. The other suspect was arrested and told them that Mosteller received methamphetamine at the same hotel the day before.
As the case continued, investigators located Mosteller leaving a residence in Burke County on June 22nd and attempted to make a traffic stop. Mosteller refused to stop and fled at a high speed before crashing into an embankment.
Law enforcement arrested Mosteller and also found a paper bag containing multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl, in his car. A search warrant was later obtained for the Burke County residence where more fentanyl and digital scales were found.
Mosteller also received three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
