Darius Williams tried to lead associates to the location of more narcotics after being captured.
WILMINGTON -- A federal judge sentenced a Wilmington man Thursday to more than 18 years in prison in connection with drug and gun charges, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Darius J. Williams, 38, was charged last July with distribution of heroin. In September, Williams was charged with possession to distribute a quantity of heroin, cocaine and marijuana; conspiracy to distribute those drugs; and possession of a firearm by a felon. On Sept. 27, Williams pleaded guilty to the September charges.
The federal investigation started last February when FBI agents saw a man using heroin in a Wilmington restaurant parking lot, according to the release. When agents approached the car, they found 87 doses of heroin in his lap and learned the man was on federal supervised release.
After being taken into custody, the release said, the man told them he had bought the heroin from Williams who was living in the same federal halfway house as he was.
Two days later, the man traveled to Williams' residence and purchased 351 doses of heroin, according to the release, which also said that Williams told the man to call whenever he needed more.
Williams was arrested on June 26.
After Williams was arrested, law enforcement continued to monitor his calls with associates, because, the release said, they believed he was trying to lead them to a location with more narcotics.
Agents followed Williams' associates to his mother's house, the release said, and stopped them after they left. Upon searching the vehicles, agents found two bags containing 91.78 grams of MDMA, 62.78 grams of marijuana, 33.68 grams of cocaine and a loaded .380 pistol, later deemed stolen.