CRIME

Wilmington man sentenced for drug offences

Andrea Bloodworth, 57, will serve 9 years in prison

Cammie Bellamy StarNews Staff
[SHUTTERSTOCK]

WILMINGTON -- A Wilmington man was sentenced to nine years in prison for distributing crack cocaine.

Andrea Bloodworth, 57, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and a quantity of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base and cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bloodworth's nine years in prison will be followed by four years' supervised release.

The release states that on Jan. 9, 2018, Bloodworth fled from New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office vice detectives as they attempted to stop his car following what they believed to be a drug transaction in the Walmart parking lot on Sigmon Road. After stopping him, officers found that Bloodworth told a passenger to conceal individual baggies of crack cocaine in a pill bottle.

On May 17, 2018, the Wilmington Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Unit executed a search warrant at Bloodworth's home on Manley Avenue. According to the release, law enforcement found crack cocaine, cocaine, a loaded .22-caliber handgun, and more than $10,000 in cash.

At the time of his arrest, Bloodworth was on federal supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Reporter Cammie Bellamy can be reached at 910-343-2339 or Cammie.Bellamy@StarNewsOnline.com.