Keith Ryan Noles, 44, from Marble, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 296 months in prison and five years of supervised release on charges related to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms offenses. The sentence was handed down following his conviction at trial in March 2024.
Noles and Tina Hill, 47, also from Marble, were both convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Noles was additionally found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon.
Court documents and evidence presented during the trial showed that law enforcement in Texas intercepted more than eight pounds of methamphetamine. Authorities determined that the drugs were intended for Hill and Noles in North Carolina. Testimony revealed that between 2020 and 2021, the source or their representative traveled several times to North Carolina to deliver packages of methamphetamine and collect cash payments. After the drug delivery was intercepted in Texas, law enforcement arranged a controlled delivery of the drugs as originally planned. Noles was arrested shortly after arriving to assist with receiving the shipment at his residence; Hill was later arrested at the same location.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson expressed appreciation for Homeland Security Investigations and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their investigative work. He also thanked the Andrews Police Department and Graham County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers are prosecuting the case. Chambers is a state prosecutor assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch from the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District to serve as SAUSA (Special Assistant United States Attorney) with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville. According to officials, “Ms. Chambers is sworn in both state and federal courts.” They added: “The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office.” They continued: “The SAUSA position helps ensure the effective and vigorous prosecution of federal court cases that impact the counties within the 43rd Prosecutorial District.”
