ASHEVILLE A previously convicted felon who illegally possessed 15 firearms and more than 1,600 fentanyl pills, over 800 grams of methamphetamine, and cocaine was sentenced to 22 years in prison Thursday.
Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced that John Anthony Barreiro, 44, of Murphy, was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release.
“Drug trafficking and illegal firearms and violence go hand-in-hand — and this case is proof,” Ferguson said. “It is vitally important that we remove lethal drugs and illegal firearms from our community, and in this case we did both by securing a 22-year sentence.”
According to court documents and court proceedings, on Dec. 4, 2023, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Barreiro’s vehicle in Murphy.
Rather than heed the officer’s blue lights, Barreiro fled, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Court documents show that while fleeing from officers, Barreiro threw a Glock 9mm pistol out of the passenger side window of the car.
Later, Barreiro also threw a bag containing over 300 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl tablets, fentanyl powder, and cocaine out of the passenger side window. Both the firearm and drugs were later recovered by law enforcement.
After tossing the firearm and the drugs out of the vehicle, Barreiro pulled over and was arrested. In the vehicle and on his person, Barreiro had additional clear baggies with suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Barreiro also had $7,840 in cash, marijuana, a loaded Glock 30-round capacity magazine, and a bag containing multiple loose rounds of 9mm ammunition in the vehicle.
Later the same day, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a home in Murphy where Barreiro was known to reside. Law enforcement seized 14 firearms, 1,450 fentanyl tablets, fentanyl powder, cocaine, and almost 500 grams of methamphetamine. Barreiro has prior convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms.
On Sept. 26, 2024, Barreiro pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He remains in federal custody until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers prosecuted the case. Chambers is a state prosecutor with the 43rd Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville.
Chambers is sworn in to practice in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position reflects the partnership between the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. The SAUSA position helps ensure the effective and vigorous prosecution of federal court cases that impact the counties within the 43rd Prosecutorial District.