Drug Dealer Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal Prison

WILMINGTON, N.C. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Otis Henderson, 53, to 23 years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Sell and Possession with Intent to Sell 50 grams of Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine. A federal jury convicted Inmate Henderson of the charges after trial.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, ATF and DEA began investigating a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization that shipped pounds and pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine to EDNC in early 2024. ATF purchased multiple pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl from this organization during this investigation. In 2024, Inmate Henderson acted as a courier for the drug trafficking organization, met up with an individual in a parking lot of a Mexican restaurant in New Bern, NC, and delivered a duffle bag of 10.7 pounds of methamphetamine, packaged in bricks. Inmate Henderson’s co-defendant, Fortunato Beltran, set up the delivery of the methamphetamine and for multiple other drug drops involving fentanyl and meth. Inmate Henderson had multiple previous convictions for drug distribution in North Carolina.

“Cartels spread evil and destroy communities. Pay attention: working as a part-time drug mule for a cartel gets you over 20 years. Be smarter than that.  Drugs kill kids.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.   

W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The ATF and DEA investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley J. Avera and Special Assistant United States Attorney Alison N. Lester prosecuted the case.