Raleigh, N.C.
Ahmad Rashad McClain, a/k/a “Wop,” a longtime resident of Raleigh, was sentenced to 480 months in prison for trafficking heroin after attempting to intimidate witnesses. On June 8, 2022, Ahmad Rashad McClain pled guilty to two counts of drug trafficking.
“Tampering with witnesses and attempted intimidation is a sure-fire way to extend your stay in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Heroin traffickers like McClain drive addiction in our city and will do anything to dodge accountability. We are turbocharging our partnership with the Raleigh Police Department to get these dangerous narcotics – and those who supply them – off the streets.”
According to court evidence, McClain, age 47, was identified by the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) in late 2021 as a major heroin distributor in the Raleigh area.
This conclusion was based on physical and electronic surveillance, the use of confidential informants, and witness statements.
On June 8, 2022, a traffic stop was made on a vehicle driven by McClain, who was later transported to his residence, where a search warrant was executed. McClain was found to be in possession of heroin mixed with protonitazene and marijuana, various drug paraphernalia, and over $15,000 in cash.
As part of the investigation, witnesses provided RPD with information demonstrating that McClain was accountable for distributing over 24,000 grams of heroin over a two-year period.
The Government argued for and received an enhanced sentence because McClain was found to be intimidating witnesses before sentencing.
In five calls recorded between March 1 and March 29, McClain directed an associate to contact two confidential informants expected to provide evidence at his sentencing hearing.
Although McClain and the associate used code, it was clear from the calls that McClain was directing him to approach or have someone else approach, the witnesses to ensure they did not testify, discussing during the calls that the Government could not tie drug weight to him without their testimony.
In one call, McClain directed the associate to “…shut them arcade games off.” In another, McClain said, “Yeah, without they testimony, they… can’t do s#!@…” The associate confirmed, “You ain’t got to worry about seeing them anyway…” In many of the calls, the associate confirmed that he or one of his “boys” had made contact with the witnesses.
The Raleigh Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.