A federal probable cause and detention hearing is set for Thursday in Greenville following the filing of a criminal complaint against Lavonta Bradley “Moochie” Johnson, who currently faces local charges of trafficking nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine and 200 grams of fentanyl.
The criminal complaint filed earlier this month is specifically tied to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to court documents.
The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in Greenville, according to an order signed by United States Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Swank. Johnson has been appointed a federal public defender.
Johnson, 35, was charged locally in August.
The complaint is supported by an affidavit from a Halifax County Sheriff’s Office narcotics agent, who is also sworn as an FBI Task Force Officer.
Investigation and background
Informant and controlled buys: In January, investigators received information from a vetted confidential source that Johnson was selling methamphetamine and fentanyl from his residence at 260 Brigman Street in Roanoke Rapids. Between February and late July, law enforcement supervised four controlled purchases of suspected methamphetamine from Johnson at the Brigman Street home.
Pre-raid intelligence: Within 72 hours of August 12, the confidential source informed agents that Johnson had received a large shipment of methamphetamine.
Surveillance and hospital dumpster drop
Surveillance: On August 12, the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force set up physical surveillance at 260 Brigman Street. They observed Johnson and an unidentified man arrive in a black GMC Terrain. Johnson retrieved a clear plastic bag containing an off-white, chunky substance from the center console, put it in his pocket, and entered the house.
Evidence disposal: Minutes later, Johnson emerged carrying a large white plastic bag and drove off with the passenger. Agents trailed the vehicle to the ECU North Hospital campus in Roanoke Rapids, where the passenger discarded the white bag into a trash can.
Recovered evidence: Investigators recovered the bag, which contained multiple kilogram-sized narcotics wrappers and a FedEx shipping package addressed to 260 Brigman Street.
Search warrant execution and seizure
Arrest and scene: Based on the recovered evidence, a Halifax County judicial official signed a search warrant for the residence, vehicle, and Johnson. At approximately 8 p.m. on August 12, officers executed the warrant. Johnson’s girlfriend was found in the GMC Terrain in the front yard. Officers entering the residence were briefly delayed by a large pit bull, allowing Johnson to flee out the back door, where Halifax County deputies immediately arrested him.
Seized narcotics and equipment: In the crawlspace of the home, about 18 inches from the access door, officers found a black and red backpack containing approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine, 115 grams of fentanyl, and a metal "quarter brick" narcotics press.
Additional seizures: Inside the residence, officers seized suspected marijuana, an additional small amount of fentanyl, and five firearms. The affidavit notes Johnson was a convicted felon at the time of the search.
Field testing: Field tests conducted using a Thermo Scientific TruNarc spectrometer confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in the seized drugs and the July controlled buy, and confirmed fentanyl in the crawlspace backpack.
The complaint and warrant application were attested to electronically before United States Magistrate Judge Brian S. Meyers on October 9.
