North Charlotte Today

Chad Clay, 31, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 151 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), joined U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and proceedings, from July 2022 through October 2022, Clay sold fentanyl and methamphetamine on multiple occasions to an undercover officer (UC) in Charlotte. In addition to the drugs, Clay sold the UC several firearms, including a handgun that had been reported stolen and a rifle with two high-capacity magazines. Court records show that Clay has multiple prior convictions, including conspiracy to commit common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Due to these criminal convictions, Clay is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On March 16, 2023, Clay pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Clay will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated federal Bureau of Prisons’ facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation into the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Sielaff prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence; setting focused enforcement priorities; and measuring results.