Jaboris Rashawn Francis, 37, of Morganton, was sentenced to serve 11 to 15 years in prison following his conviction for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine during Caldwell County Superior Court on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The Honorable Daniel A. Kuehnert, Superior Court Judge from Burke County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Francis entered a guilty plea. The defendant also was assessed a mandatory fine of $550,000.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
On January 27, 2025, deputies from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle along Connelly Springs Road after determining he had outstanding warrants from McDowell County.
Francis attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by deputies. They discovered that he had trafficking amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine in his possession.
The case was investigated by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker prosecuted the matter for the State.