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North Carolina Man Indicted in Delaware on Federal Cocaine Charge

A federal grand jury charged James F. Pyrtle with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. The case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 19, 2026, 12:55 p.m. ET
A federal grand jury has returned a one-count indictment charging a North Carolina man with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to the announcement issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware on August 19, 2026. The record identifies the defendant as James F. Pyrtle, 55. The case is at the charging stage and has not been decided. The record documents an indictment only: it reflects no plea, no trial and no verdict, and it records no outcome of any kind. In the words of the announcement, "" The matter is filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware under Case No. , and remains open. According to the indictment as described in the announcement, Pyrtle possessed approximately two kilograms of cocaine — a distribution level quantity — in the trunk area of his vehicle while driving near Concord Pike. Also present in the vehicle, the record states, were several thousand dollars in cash that returned a positive hit for the presence of narcotics. Pyrtle is with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(ii)(II). If convicted, the announcement states, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of forty years. The record adds that actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties, and that a federal district court judge would determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The indictment was announced by two officials. The first is Benjamin L. Wallace, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, whose office is prosecuting the case. Wallace said in the announcement: "Stopping significant quantities of illegal drugs from reaching Delaware neighborhoods is a top priority for our office." He added: "Thanks to the diligent work of the Delaware State Police, two kilograms of cocaine were prevented from entering our communities. We will continue working alongside our state and local partners to pursue and prosecute those who bring illegal drugs across our borders." The second official is Colonel William D. Crotty, the superintendent of the Delaware State Police, the agency that investigated the case. Crotty said the seizure "again demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to holding drug dealers accountable and protecting our communities," adding that "Cocaine and other dangerous substances continue to affect too many lives." Crotty also said: "It is through strong partnerships and investigative efforts that we continue to make strides in this fight. The Delaware State Police continues to collaborate with our federal and local allies to disrupt the flow of lethal drugs and prevent them from reaching our communities." Assistant U.S. Attorney M. David Tamubssi Jr. is prosecuting the case, according to the announcement. Related court documents and information are available on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. . Because the matter is still pending, any subsequent development — including a plea, trial or dismissal — would appear in that docket rather than in this charging record.

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  1. Version 119 Aug 2026, 16:55current

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