Thomas Ansel Burgess, 44, of Lenoir, was sentenced to serve 13 to 17 years in prison following convictions for two counts of trafficking fentanyl on Monday, December 9, 2024, in Caldwell County Superior Court.
The Honorable George C. Bell, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Burgess entered the guilty plea.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections. He also will have to pay a mandatory fine of $100,000.
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a search of Burgess’ residence on August 6, 2024, and found a significant amount of powder fentanyl, leading to his arrest.
Deputies from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation with assistance from Lenoir Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security. Chief Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker prosecuted the matter for the State.