RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that a federal grand jury in Wilmington has returned indictments charging KENNETH RAY BARNES, a/k/a “Kenny,” age 49 of Wilson, NC, and JEFFREY BERNARD MOORE, a/k/a “Cookieman,” age 48 of Wilson, NC, with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine.  Additionally, TONY LYNN WINSTEAD, age 60 of Wilson, NC, was indicted with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.  BARNES, MOORE, and WINSTEAD were each arrested yesterday in Wilson, NC by the Wilson Police Department and United States Marshal’s Service.

If convicted, BARNES and MOORE would face a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and maximum penalties of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  If convicted, WINSTEAD would face maximum penalties of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is a part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina’s “Take Back North Carolina Initiative” and is being investigated by the Wilson Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced JEFFREY BERNARD MOORE, also known as “COOKIE MAN,” 49, of Wilson, North Carolina to 120 months imprisonment, followed by 8 years of supervised release.

The prosecution of MOORE was a part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF) entitled Operation Bobcat, which resulted in the arrest of several defendants for outstanding federal and state charges in a coordinated warrant enforcement operation.  The investigation focused on cocaine base (crack) and cocaine trafficking in Wilson County.

MOORE was named in an eleven-count Indictment filed on August 28, 2018 charging him with a drug conspiracy running from at least 2013 until the date of the indictment on August 28, 2018.  Specifically, MOORE was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of cocaine; as well as five counts of distribution of a quantity of cocaine.  On November 6, 2018, MOORE pled guilty.    

According to the investigation, MOORE was a part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine throughout Wilson County.  As part of the investigation, law enforcement purchased cocaine directly from MOORE at various locations in Wilson, including MOORE’s home.  MOORE also maintained premises for the purpose of manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance and utilized other individuals to sell drugs on his behalf. 

On June 3, 1997, MOORE was sentenced to 240 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base within the Eastern District of North Carolina.  Based upon this prior conviction, the Government sought and received an enhanced penalty for MOORE in the instant case.

On December 6, 2018, KENNETH RAY BARNES, also known as “KENNY,” 49, of Wilson was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release and on February 5, 2019, TONY LYNN WINSTEAD, 61, of Wilson was sentenced to probation for their involvements in the drug conspiracy with MOORE.

This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative.  This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement. For more information about this initiative click here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/tbnc.

Investigation of this enforcement operation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Wilson Police Department, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government.