Evergreen Reporter

Ernest Russell Early, Jr., a resident of Greenville, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison following his guilty plea to charges of armed robbery and possession of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Early, 37, made his plea on August 21, 2024.

Court documentation and proceedings revealed that on August 19, 2023, Early entered the Falkland Mini Mart on South Main Street, brandishing a black pistol. He coerced the clerk to the cash register and demanded money, taking $1,500 before fleeing in a black Nissan Sentra with New Jersey plates. The clerk was able to note part of the vehicle's license plate.

Responding to the incident, Pitt County Sheriff’s Deputies located the vehicle and pursued it. After initially evading, Early crashed and fled on foot. Fingerprints collected from the stolen vehicle matched Early's.

Early remained elusive until December 8, 2023, when he was spotted and arrested in Greenville. Officers found 103 counterfeit oxycodone pills and a .40 caliber handgun in his possession. The pills tested positive for fentanyl.

Early's criminal record includes three previous state felony convictions and fifteen misdemeanors, with a prior 2013 conviction for robbery in Wake County.

"Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II." The case was investigated by the FBI, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, and Greenville Police Department. Phil Aubart and Jake D. Pugh prosecuted on behalf of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Case documents are accessible on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina's website or via PACER under Case No. 4:24-cr-0025-M.