Catawba County Gets Prison Sentence For Trafficking Fentanyl

30-year-old Ryan Rudy Elledge of Sherrills Ford was sentenced Thursday (February 6) to 84 months in prison and four years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl. The announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown and Chief Tyler Whisenant of the Maiden Police Department, were among those who joined U.S. Attorney King in making the announcement.
According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Elledge in January 2023, for suspected fentanyl distribution in and around Catawba County. On February 17, 2023, officers executed a search warrant at Elledge’s residence, seizing more than 71 grams of fentanyl and over $21,000 in cash.

In February 2024, law enforcement began a second investigation, after learning that Elledge was selling drugs again from his home in Newton. On February 22, 2024, a confidential informant purchased fentanyl and other narcotics from Elledge. The following day, officers executed a search warrant at Elledge’s residence, seizing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Court records show that Elledge admitted to distributing more than a kilogram of fentanyl and over 200 grams of methamphetamine. On August 20, 2024, Elledge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

He is currently in federal custody at the Catawba County Detention Facility. He will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.