PA man sentenced for trafficking meth, fentanyl in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Philadelphia man was sentenced Monday to 12 ½ years in prison for his drug trafficking conviction related to crimes that took place in Charlotte.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, court documents show that in October 2022, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was at a QuikTrip gas station in Charlotte when he observed an individual, later identified as 27-year-old Jomeir Zakied McCutchen, engage in a hand-to-hand drug transaction.

Records show that when McCutchen saw the officer he quickly walked into the gas station and then was picked up at a side door of the store by a juvenile female, who drove away from the business in a white SUV at a high rate of speed. The officer followed McCutchen and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the juvenile driver drove away.

A little while later, the officer located the unoccupied SUV in the parking lot of an apartment complex. While looking through the vehicle’s windows, the officer reportedly observed drugs and drug paraphernalia, including digital scales.

Law enforcement conducted a search of the vehicle, allegedly seizing a bag containing more than 12 grams of fentanyl. The officers also located identifying documents in the vehicle in the name of the defendant. Further investigation revealed that McCutchen was a convicted felon on parole in Pennsylvania.

The next day, law enforcement located McCutchen at a gas station in Charlotte. Law enforcement observed him exit the gas station and approach a red vehicle. CMPD officers attempted to stop McCutchen, but the defendant fled on foot, and officers say he dropped a black pistol on the ground as he ran off.

McCutchen was arrested and detained. Law enforcement searched the red vehicle and seized more than 83 grams of methamphetamine and recovered the discarded firearm, determining it was loaded with a round in the chamber.

On Feb. 21, 2024, McCutchen pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In his sentencing of 150 months, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell noted Monday that prior convictions and probation from other courts had not deterred the defendant.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and CMPD assisted in the investigation.

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