U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced Thursday the 14th that Samantha Marie Vono, 34,
of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years under court supervision
for trafficking methamphetamine. Vono was classified as a Career Offender as a result of multiple
prior drug trafficking convictions for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to
others.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Sheriff Donald G. Brown
II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s
announcement.
According to court documents and today’s proceedings, in December 2021, law enforcement
officers were conducting a drug investigation in Catawba County. During the investigation, they
identified Vono as a local distributor of methamphetamine. The investigation determined that Vono
would travel to Charlotte to meet with a narcotics source of supply, and then travel back to Catawba
County where she distributed narcotics to other local sellers. Court records show that, on January
25, 2022, officers followed Vono as she travelled to Charlotte. Officers observed Vono meet her
supply source at an apartment complex and then travel back to Catawba County. Officers conducted
a traffic stop of Vono’s vehicle for a traffic violation and Vono’s multiple outstanding warrants.
During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement located 160 grams of methamphetamine inside the
vehicle.
According to court records, while Vono was released on bond pending sentencing, and confined to
her apartment on home detention with electronic monitoring, Vono set up a robbery in her apartment
with three other co-conspirators where a victim was shot. Two of Vono’s young children were
home at the time of the robbery turned shooting. After the incident, court records show that Vono
was encountered by the police while attempting to clean up the bloody crime scene. Later, Vono
also attempted to obstruct the police investigation.
On June 14, 2023, Vono pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
She is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons
upon designation of a federal facility.
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