Man heads to prison for selling drugs near school

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man will spend more than four years in prison after investigators say he sold drugs near an elementary school.

A judge sentenced Christopher Debose, 41, to 51-74 months in prison after Debose pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and heroin and being a habitual felon.

In June Wilmington Police, with help from the FBI Safe Street Task Force served a search warrant at Debose’s home on Bonham Avenue. When no one answered the door, officer forced their way, where they say Debose tried to flush cocaine and heroin down the toilet. Investigators say when they found Debose in a bedroom he refused to surrender and had to be tasered. Investigators say Debose told them he’d been selling drugs from the home, which is within 1,000 feet of Amy Bradley School, for several months.

“Our office will continue to seek lengthy prison sentences for people who peddle this poison near schools and playgrounds,” District Attorney Ben David said in a news release. “Children have a right to be free from this blight and the dangerous activities associated with it.”