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Sanford Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

Aaron Cotten, 50, of Sanford, North Carolina, was sentenced to 10 and a half years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

2 reports on this incident · first at Sep 8, 2026, 5:18 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 8, 2026, 5:22 p.m. ET
Developing · checked 1h ago

This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Sep 8, 2026, 5:10 p.m. ET — checked 1h ago.

A federal judge Aaron Cotten, 50, of Sanford, North Carolina, to 10 and a half years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 11 pounds or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of heroin, as well as possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced on September 8, 2026. According to the announcement, the sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The case was investigated by the ATF, DEA, Jacksonville Police Department, Beulaville Police Department, Goldsboro Police Department, Duplin County Sheriff's Office, and Lee County Sheriff's Office. Court documents state that on March 15, 2022, a traffic stop in Duplin County led to the discovery of more than $15,000 in cash near Cotten, and a subsequent search recovered more than a pound of cocaine and several ounces of fentanyl. On April 3, 2024, a Lee County traffic stop resulted in the discovery of approximately one pound of fentanyl concealed in the engine bay of a car, and a gun was found on another passenger. The investigation indicated Cotten distributed drugs sourced from Charlotte across Eastern North Carolina. Cotten has prior convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree burglary.

Earlier reports

  1. Sep 8, 2026, 5:18 p.m. ETFirst report

    Sanford Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

    A federal judge sentenced Aaron Cotten, 50, of Sanford, North Carolina, to 10 and a half years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 11 pounds or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of heroin, as well as possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced on September 8, 2026.

    According to the announcement, on March 15, 2022, the Duplin County Sheriff's Department stopped a vehicle with Cotten in the front passenger seat. Deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana and found more than $15,000 in cash near Cotten's seat. When deputies attempted to search Cotten, he became combative and resisted arrest. Deputies then recovered more than a pound of cocaine and several ounces of fentanyl. On April 3, 2024, the Lee County Sheriff's Department conducted another traffic stop involving Cotten. After a K-9 alerted to narcotics, deputies discovered approximately one pound of fentanyl concealed in the engine bay of the car and found a gun on another passenger.

    The investigation revealed that Cotten distributed cocaine and fentanyl across Eastern North Carolina, sourcing the drugs from Charlotte. Cotten has prior convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree burglary. The case was investigated by the ATF, DEA, Jacksonville Police Department, Beulaville Police Department, Goldsboro Police Department, Duplin County Sheriff's Office, and Lee County Sheriff's Office. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle after the sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.

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Revision history

  1. Version 18 Sept 2026, 21:22current

    First published.

  2. Version 18 Sept 2026, 21:18current

    First published.

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