A federal judge sentenced Kerby Pata, 40, of Miramar, Florida, to more than 12 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 11 pounds of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with the purpose of selling over 50 grams of meth.
Pata had sold pounds and pounds of cocaine across multiple states, including Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the DEA, as well as multiple state law enforcement agencies such as the Nash County Sheriff’s Office and the Nashville Police Department, as of August 2022. Pata transported drugs from the West Coast to the East Coast, then up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Pata’s strategy involved the use of several drug couriers, sometimes known as “drug mules,” to carry and sell his product.
Pata was arrested in April 2022 by Virginia State Police with more than six pounds of cocaine in his automobile. Pata was released by the Virginia court pending his trial. Six months later, Pata and Stacey Phillipe flew to California and obtained more than 13 pounds of cocaine. Phillipe then drove a rental car containing Pata’s cocaine from California to North Carolina. Fortunately, the Arkansas State Police stopped Phillipe on his way.
Pata kept utilizing his drug mules unabated. Simoneka Neal transported eight pounds of Pata’s cocaine in February 2023. Officers attempted to stop Neal, but she sped away and eventually crashed. Officers checked her car and discovered cocaine.
Pata was arrested in Florida in February 2023 on federal accusations, but he was released while awaiting trial. He instantly resumed his illicit activities, distributing drugs again.
In September 2025, Pata shipped over three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine from Florida to Aaron Barner in Virginia. Pata instructed Barner to deliver the meth to an individual in Nash County, North Carolina. Law enforcement officers performed surveillance, witnessed Barner’s drug transaction, and arrested him.
Pata had already spent time in a federal prison for aggravated identity theft in 2012. Neal and Barnes were sentenced to 60 and 24 months in federal prison, respectively, for their participation in Pata’s drug distribution organization.
“This investigation is another example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies work together toward a common mission. Partnerships make our communities safer and send a clear message to drug traffickers: there is no jurisdictional boundary that will protect you from our unified law enforcement efforts,” said Nashville Police Chief Caleb Shockley.
“This case is a testament to what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies work together toward a common goal,” said Nash County Sheriff, Keith Stone. “Let this serve as a clear message to those who choose to traffic dangerous narcotics: there is nowhere to hide. We will continue working together across jurisdictions and agencies to relentlessly disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics into our communities because the safety of our citizens remains our highest priority. I am grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts of every investigator, agent, prosecutor, and officer involved in this investigation. Together, we are making our communities safer and sending a strong message that criminal activity will not be tolerated in Nash County.”
“Drug thugs like Pata can’t hide in Eastern North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to leverage law enforcement partnerships and federal resources through the Homeland Security Task Force to clear the streets of deadly illegal drugs and the greedy criminals who profit from destroying our homes, families, and communities.”
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force’s (HSTF) Operation Bandit effort, which was launched by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People from Invasion. The HSTF is a government-wide effort to combat criminal cartels, international gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and overseas.
W. Ellis Boyle, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the statement following the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The DEA, HSI, Nash County Sheriff’s Office, and Nashville Police Department worked together to conduct this investigation.
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