A Harnett County defense attorney was sentenced in federal court Thursday after his guilty plea to a felony drug offense. Jeffrey Stall, 45, was sentenced to two years of house arrest and five years of supervised release.
Stall was initially intercepted during a federal wiretap investigation into a group of drug traffickers that were distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana throughout Sampson, Johnston and Harnett counties. Through intercepted and coded conversations, Stall spoke with another individual and the two agreed to meet later so that Stall could receive drugs.
Two days later, law enforcement watched as Stall arrived at an established drug trafficking location, stayed for a short period of time and then departed. As Stall was driving away, a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper executed a traffic stop. Stall was the driver and lone occupant. The trooper immediately observed Stall exhibiting characteristics consistent with intoxication and observed an empty gun holster on the seat. During the traffic stop, a canine alerted on the vehicle. The trooper asked Stall two times whether there was anything in Stall’s vehicle that was illegal. Stall responded with “There shouldn’t be” and “Not that I am aware of.”
The subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a backpack on the passenger seat. Inside the backpack the trooper discovered 33.65 grams of pure methamphetamine and a loaded .40 caliber handgun.
As the underlying investigation continued, several individuals were taken into custody and interviewed about their drug trafficking. In these interviews, they revealed that they had provided Stall with user amounts of methamphetamine for extended lengths of time. These individuals stated that their relationship with Stall often started with or involved Stall representing them in a legal capacity. The drug relationship with Stall would then extend beyond the course of the legal representation.
Daniel P. Bubar, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, NC National Guard, NC State Bureau of Investigation, Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and the Dunn Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case.
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COATS, N.C. (WNCN) — A Harnett County defense attorney was sentenced to two years of house arrest on a felony drug charge, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Jeffrey Stall, 45, pleaded guilty to the use of a communication facility to facilitate a felony. His two years of house arrest will be followed by five years of supervised release, according to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
According to prosecutors, a federal wiretap investigation into drug traffickers in Sampson, Johnston, and Harnett counties revealed Stall set up a meeting with another individual to receive drugs.
Two days later, according to federal prosecutors, Stall was seen at an established drug trafficking location. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol executed a traffic stop on Stall’s vehicle and found 33.65 grams of pure methamphetamine inside a backpack, along with a loaded .40 caliber handgun. Stall also appeared to be intoxicated during the traffic stop.
Several individuals later revealed they provided Stall with user amounts of methamphetamine for extended periods of time. The drug relationship with Stall initially began while he was representing them in a legal capacity and continued after the legal representation ended, according to federal prosecutors.
According to the North Carolina State Bar, Stall remains eligible to practice law.
