A federal jury in Asheville has convicted Sean Christopher Williams, 54, of Johnson City, Tennessee, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The verdict was announced by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case stems from an incident on April 29, 2023. According to court documents and trial testimony, a Western Carolina University campus police officer found Williams passed out in his vehicle at a Tuckasegee River Access parking lot near campus. The officer saw drug paraphernalia in the passenger seat and asked Williams to step out of the car. After detaining him, officers searched the vehicle and discovered more than 15 ounces of pure methamphetamine in five containers, over eight ounces of cocaine in two containers, and two digital scales inside a blue duffle bag under a television.
Four months after his arrest, Williams made two calls from Laurel County Correctional Center in Kentucky during which he admitted possessing methamphetamine for distribution.
Williams is currently held in federal custody and faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. He also faces additional charges related to alleged possession and transportation of child sexual abuse material in the Western District of North Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Western Carolina University Police Department.
The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Hess and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers from Asheville. Chambers is also a state prosecutor with the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch as SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville. She is sworn into both state and federal courts.
“The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office,” according to information provided by officials. “The SAUSA position helps ensure the effective and vigorous prosecution of federal court cases that impact the counties within the 43rd Prosecutorial District.”
