A man from Carthage was sentenced to prison after being arrested on cocaine charges in November 2023.
Judge Stephen Stokes sentenced Phillip Covington to a prison term of 175 months minimum to 222 months maximum, to be followed consecutively by another prison term of 35 months minimum to 51 months maximum, for a combined minimum sentence of 210 months.
Moore and Hoke County District Attorney Mike Hardin said the case began in July 2023 when Moore County Sheriff’s narcotic detectives and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation conducted an extensive investigation into Covington on suspicion of cocaine trafficking.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Covington was charged with multiple counts of trafficking cocaine, selling and delivering cocaine, felony maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a felon, and multiple attendant misdemeanors based on a controlled drug buy and two different search warrants for Covington’s residence.
Hardin indicted Covington on the charges, and Covington entered pleas of not guilty to all charges. The matters were set for trial.
Hardin elected to try Covington on charges based on the Nov. 21, 2023, search warrant executed at Covington’s home. During that search, detectives located and seized over two kilograms of cocaine.
On Feb. 9, a Moore County jury found Covington guilty as charged of trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
After the jury’s guilty verdicts, Covington entered guilty pleas to his remaining charges of four counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, two counts of felony maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
“The Moore County District Attorneys Office would like to thank the hard work and dedication of the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, the SBI, and the citizens of Moore County who served as jurors in this matter,” said Hardin in a press release.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news and weekly e-newsletter, please click here.
Photo of Phillip Covington from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
