RALEIGH, N.C. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - North Carolina, Eastern), published as received.

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Mocksville, North Carolina man was sentenced to 216 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Kelvin Vincente Noyola, a/k/a “Tripp,” 30, was part of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Winston-Salem, and it distributed significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine to the Goldsboro area.

Based upon the investigation, law enforcement learned that Noyola, was responsible for the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of crystal methamphetamine, a/k/a “Ice,” while assisted by co-defendant, Israel Ponce, and others.  Specifically, over the course of the conspiracy, Noyola was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 16.825 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.  On July 25, 2022, Noyola entered a plea of guilty to the charges.

Co-defendant, Israel Ponce, was also charged and convicted in this investigation in Case No. 5:22CR00010D-002.  Over the course of the conspiracy, Ponce was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 933.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine.  Ponce pled guilty on May 18, 2022, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine, aiding and abetting.  On October 13, 2022, Ponce was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Wilmington, North Carolina the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the Winston-Salem Police Department in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:22CR00010-D-001.