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Jason Patterson, 29, of Raleigh, was sentenced July 6, 2022 to 84 months in prison for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina. Patterson pleaded guilty to the charges on February 16, 2022.

According to court records and statements made during hearings, on August 12, 2020, the Raleigh Police Department executed a search warrant at Patterson’s Raleigh residence based on drug distribution activity.

“Minutes before they executed the search warrant, officers observed Patterson arrive at the home with a red bookbag and then leave again without the bag,” stated the release. “Officers in marked patrol vehicles attempted to stop Patterson, but he fled on foot and was taken into custody after a short foot chase. They saw Patterson throw an object over a brick wall, and with assistance from a K-9, they located two bags containing 35 grams of cocaine.”

Officers searched the house and found the red bookbag that they had seen Patterson holding on the kitchen counter. It contained a plastic bag of 48 grams of cocaine, another smaller bag of cocaine, a digital scale and cash, according to the release. “In a kitchen cabinet, officers found glass jars containing marijuana and cocaine, a digital scale, sandwich bags, and a container of rolled marijuana joints,” the release continued. “In a nightstand by the master bedroom, officers found a Steyr 9mm handgun. From a brown cardboard box in the master bedroom closet, they recovered a black 9mm Polymer handgun with a 30-round extended magazine.”

Patterson had accrued eight North Carolina felony convictions for drug offenses as well as a felony conviction for assault by strangulation prior to his federal prosecution, according to the release.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Raleigh Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted the case.

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