New Jersey man sentenced to 68 months in prison for drug distribution in Jones County

JONES COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A New Jersey man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison on drug charges, according to the Department of Justice.

In a press release, the U.S. Department of Justice said James Hathcock was sentenced to 68 months in prison for distributing drugs in a Jones County neighborhood.

The 45-year-old New Jersey man previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in connection with a drug crime and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

According to court documents and evidence, officers received complaints about possible drug activity on Nguyen Lane in February 2023. Between March 3 and April 20, 2023, law enforcement conducted seven controlled buys in the Pollocksville neighborhood. Law enforcement used a confidential source who supplied Hathcock with cocaine, meth and fentanyl during the controlled buys.

The press release states that during some of these purchases, Hathcock traveled to meet his supplier, co-defendant Robert Green, before completing the sale.

Following the April 20 controlled purchase, search warrants were executed simultaneously at Hathcock’s and Green’s residences. From Hathcock, they seized crack cocaine, crystal meth, fentanyl, marijuana, a .380 caliber handgun, two .45 caliber handguns, ammunition, digital scales and three Narcan nasal sprays. At Green’s home they found crack cocaine, crystal meth, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, heroin and $10,800 in federal dollars.

Green was sentenced to 11 years in prison on drug charges on October 25.

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