United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal jury in Statesville has convicted Da Lee, 37, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, of trafficking methamphetamine and marijuana in Western North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

According to filed court documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, from 2018 to July 2020, Lee and his co-defendant, Paul Mark James, 52, of Hickory, North Carolina, conspired to distribute methamphetamine in and around Catawba County. Court records show that law enforcement investigating James’s drug distribution activities in Hickory determined that James frequently traveled out of state to purchase methamphetamine from his supplier in Georgia, later identified as Lee. According to trial evidence, in July 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lee’s Georgia residence, from which they seized a firearm, four pounds of marijuana, and more than $7,900 in cash. Trial evidence also established that, over the course of the conspiracy, Lee was responsible for supplying James with more than two pounds of methamphetamine.

The jury convicted Lee of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and 50 grams or more methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. James has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine. Both Lee and James are awaiting sentencing.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Hess and Taylor Stout are prosecuting the case.

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov . Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv

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