CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte man will spend the next 15 years behind bars for distributing fentanyl after trading guns for drugs, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
On July 9th, 2020, detectives began investigating 36-year-old Reginald Williams in regards to his involvement in trafficking narcotics around Charlotte.
An undercover detective, acting as a drug dealer, made contact with Williams where he expressed interest in buying two kilograms of cocaine. Williams told the detective he would pay for one kilogram with cash and would trade firearms as a form of payment for the other.
The drug transaction was made on August 12th, 2020. There, Williams and another individual put four firearms, two rifles and two pistols, into one undercover officer’s vehicle while putting $37,800 in cash in another officer’s vehicle.
Williams was placed under arrest shortly thereafter.
Police executed a search warrant at Williams’ nearby apartment where he stored drugs. Officials said they seized fentanyl, plastic bags, 28 rounds of ammunition and other drug distribution-related items. In addition, heroin, marijuana, a revolver, ammunition and $23,748 in cash were found at his residence.
Williams admitted to buying fentanyl and heroin in kilogram quantities, which he used to distribute. He also said he illegally obtained firearms from a gun trafficking source.
Williams pled guilty on December 20th, 2023 for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and marijuana. He will serve four years under court supervision upon release.
