“This case is a great example of strong partnerships across the spectrum of law enforcement,” said Shane Watts, Special Agent in Charge of the Carolinas Field Office. “Army CID will continue to target those responsible for degrading the Army mission through criminal acts by conducting professional and comprehensive investigations.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on May 7, 2021, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations was notified by the French Customs Service stationed at Charles De Gaulle International airport that a package from Cameroon had been intercepted containing approximately three kilograms of ketamine. The package was delivered to Custis, then a soldier at Fort Liberty, at his home in Fayetteville, by Federal Task Force Officers with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Custis pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute ketamine and he was released pending sentencing. While awaiting sentencing, the Army Criminal Investigative Division and Defense Criminal Investigative Service received information that Custis was laundering money. The subsequent investigation revealed that Custis, acting in a leadership role involving co-defendant and others, laundered over $700,000.
On Feb, 1, a second search warrant was executed at Custis’s home and investigators recovered 28.5 kilograms of ketamine, $164,200 in cash, digital scales and vacuums sealing materials.
Easley made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-0058-D-1.
