A Brunswick County resident, John Broadway, has pleaded guilty to several federal charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The charges include selling fentanyl, possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Broadway could face a minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison.
Court records indicate that Broadway sold fentanyl to a confidential informant working with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). During the transaction at his home, a young child was present. Following this, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence, where they discovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, $8,800 in cash, and 18 firearms.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle commented on the case: “If you sell drugs, we will find you, prosecute you, and throw you in prison for a long time. Stop poisoning your community to make a little bit of money before rotting in prison. This is a lose-lose-lose proposition, so cut it out.”
Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism stated: “This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to removing illegal firearms and dangerous narcotics from our communities. The collaboration between our Narcotics Unit, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office sends a clear message: if you choose to traffic drugs and illegally possess firearms in Brunswick County, we will work relentlessly – across every level of law enforcement – to hold you accountable.”
The announcement came after Broadway entered his plea before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The investigation was conducted by BCSO and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Severo prosecuting.
