WILMINGTON — A 51-year-old Wilmington man will serve 135 months in prison for multiple drug charges, including intent to sell and distribute.
Marlon Porter, 51, pled guilty in March to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl; possession of a quantity of crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Porter’s arrest was part of a Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, which attempts to disrupt and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The force is overseen by local, state and federal agencies, in Porter’s case including the ATF, Wilmington Police Department and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our men and women continue to work tirelessly day in and day out to protect the City of Wilmington,” Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams said in a press release from the U.S. Justice Department. “I am extremely grateful for their continued dedication to ensuring justice is delivered. I appreciate the partnership with the various agencies who assisted with this case to bring it to a close.”
Marlon has prior convictions state convictions, including possession of a controlled substance within 300 feet of a school (1994), selling cocaine (2012), attempted common law robbery and assault inflicting bodily injury (2012).
He also had many run-ins with the law in 2019.
Court documents indicate on June 26, 2019 two deputies, one from WPD and NHCSO, responded to multiple gun shots near Gores Row and Orange Streets. Law enforcement observed Porter on foot, running across the street, yet would not respond to officers to stop.
After rounding a corner, he returned to surrender. A search of the area turned up a stolen 9mm handgun, “cocked and ready to fire,” according to a release. Also observed was Porter’s brother, George, reaching into a car in the area.
When law enforcement searched the vehicle, they recovered a loaded .380 handgun under the front seat, as well as numerous shell casings in the area Porter had been observed running from.
On July 16, 2019, officers made a controlled purchase from Porter at a Glenn Street address Porter utilized as a stash house.
Two months later in September, WPD officers responded to a welfare check in a hotel parking lot on Eastwood Road. Porter and another man were asleep in a BMW. According to the U.S. Justice Department press release, as the WPD approached Porter, he threw 2 ounces of cocaine across the car.
Upon a search of the vehicle, officers found crack, fentanyl, multiple wax baggies, digital scales, almost $4,000 and a loaded 0.357 revolver, and discovered Porter was associated with a room at the hotel. A search warrant revealed 6 grams of fentanyl, crack and items used to make crack.
By the end of the year in December, NHCSO detectives received information that Porter had been selling drugs from Wilmington’s now-closed Baymont Inn. It was thereafter that detectives made an arrest of someone in possession of heroin, and the person also had a room key for the Baymont Inn.
When law enforcement approached the room, they stopped a female who was leaving and carrying five bindles of fentanyl. Upon entry, officers discovered Porter on the bed, with a .45 caliber handgun, 3 grams of fentanyl, digital scales and almost $2,000 in cash. A search of Porter’s jeep returned a small amount of fentanyl and a stolen 9mm handgun and digital scales.
“ATF and our law enforcement partners focus on those individuals who pose the biggest threat to our communities,” Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) special agent in charge Bennie Mims said in a press release. “Our collaborative efforts continue to disrupt drug trafficking networks, recover firearms from illegal possessors, apprehend violent offenders, and better public safety in our neighborhoods.”
Have comments or tips? Email [email protected]
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
