Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Final Defendant Sentenced in Crack Distribution Conspiracy
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The sixth and final defendant in a multi-state crack cocaine and firearms distribution investigation was sentenced today to nearly 14 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy. As part of this case, ATF Agents and the Prince William County Police seized more than 20 firearms and 800 grams of crack.
Steve Pate, 41, of Shannon, North Carolina, was sentenced to 167 months in prison. According to court documents, Pate engaged in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine from at least May 2016 through February 2017. As part of the conspiracy, Pate would purchase cocaine, which he would prepare into crack. Pate would then supply the crack to co-conspirators Jerry Bullard and Cedric McEachern, who sold the drugs from a trailer in Robeson County, North Carolina.
As part of the conspiracy, co-conspirators Kristie Middleton and Kevin Shaw traveled from Virginia to purchase multi-ounce quantities of crack from Bullard and McEachern, and firearms from Bullard. Middleton and Shaw then returned to Dale City, Virginia, where they redistributed the crack and possessed and sold firearms alongside co-defendant Nifer McLaurin. See the table below for information on each defendant in this case.
|
Name, Age Hometown |
Pleaded Guilty to |
Sentencing |
|
Nifer McLaurin, 20 Dale City, Virginia |
Using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense |
Sentenced to 5 years on March 24 |
|
Kevin Shaw, 42 Dale City, Virginia |
Conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; Using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense |
Sentenced to 10 years on March 31 |
|
Cedric McEachern, 41 Red Springs, North Carolina |
Conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base |
Sentenced to 10 years on June 30 |
|
Jerry Bullard, 37 Shannon, North Carolina |
Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base; Using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense |
Sentenced to 15 years on July 21 |
|
Kristie Middleton, 40 Dale City, Virginia |
Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base; Using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense |
Sentenced to 15 years on August 4 |
|
Steve Pate, 41 Shannon, North Carolina |
Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base |
Sentenced today to 167 months |
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Paul D. Vanderplow, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Stephan M. Hudson, Chief of Prince William County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tobias D. Tobler prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-149.