Goldsboro man gets life on drug offenses
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on April 7, 2005 1:47 PM
GREENVILLE -- A 60-year-old Goldsboro man has been sentenced to life, plus 50 years, without the possibility of parole, in federal prison after being convicted by a jury of numerous drug offenses.
Jack Earl Best of South Herman Street was sentenced this week to life in prison after being convicted in September in U.S. District Court in Greenville for conspiracy to distribute not less than 15 kilograms, about 33 pounds, of cocaine.
Best also was sentenced by Judge Malcolm Howard to 30 years in prison for distributing cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 20 more years for maintaining a house for the purpose of selling cocaine.
Best also was fined $2,500 and ordered to forfeit his property on South Herman Street.
Best was arrested by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad after an undercover buy of a half-kilogram of cocaine.
"This should send a clear message to our younger generation that they have a lot to lose by making the wrong decisions," said Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders.
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's Office took over the case after interviews with Best revealed that his suppliers were from outside Wayne County.
"This is an example of the type work that can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies pull together as one with a common goal in mind," said Goldsboro Police Chief Tim Bell.
"I myself have been involved in the arrest of Jack Best on a number of occasions," said Bell, a former drug officer. "Because of this sentence, my officers will be able to direct their energies on someone other than Jack Earl Best."