Torrey Lane Hodsden, 28, of Asheville, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release for using a firearm during drug trafficking and related charges. The sentencing was announced by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.
Court documents and information from the sentencing hearing revealed that law enforcement began investigating Hodsden for drug trafficking in March 2023. At that time, Hodsden was already on federal probation in South Carolina. On March 7, 2023, officers with the Asheville Police Department attempted to stop Hodsden’s vehicle, but he fled. After obtaining warrants, police conducted another traffic stop on a different vehicle driven by Hodsden.
During their search, law enforcement recovered a loaded .45 caliber pistol with five rounds and more than $3,694 in cash from Hodsden’s person. A further search of his vehicle led to the discovery of $44,661 in cash along with methamphetamine and marijuana inside a Gucci bag belonging to Hodsden. Later that day, authorities searched his Jaguar and found over a pound of marijuana packaged in vacuum-sealed bags, nearly 200 tablets containing cathinone, more than 100 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl mixed with cocaine as well as separate amounts of fentanyl and cocaine.
A subsequent search at Hodsden’s residence resulted in seizures including nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine, over three pounds of marijuana, fentanyl (some mixed with cocaine or methamphetamine), digital scales, a blender containing white residue believed to be drugs, ammunition and $7,210 in cash.
On November 19, 2024, Hodsden pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He will remain under custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is transferred to a federal facility managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson acknowledged both the DEA and Asheville Police Department for their work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess prosecuted the case for the government.
