Lenoir Man Sentenced To Serve At Least 13 Years For Trafficking Fentanyl

44-year old Thomas Ansel Burgess of Lenoir, has been ordered to serve 13 to 17 years in prison following his guilty plea on two counts of trafficking fentanyl. He was sentenced on Monday, December 9 in Caldwell County Superior Court. Burgess was also will also will be required to pay a mandatory fine of $100,000.

Burgess was arrested at his residence on August 6, 2024.

Deputies from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation with assistance from Lenoir Police, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and US Department of Homeland Security. Chief Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker prosecuted the matter for the State.