Morganton man sentenced to 17 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl

Joseph Paul Mosteller, 42, was sentenced Thursday to 17 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said in a statement.

In June 2023, law enforcement began investigating Mosteller for allegedly trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine in Burke and Catawba counties, according to court documents and the sentencing hearing.

On June 2, 2023, law enforcement was conducting surveillance on Mosteller and saw him and another individual, who was carrying a shoebox, walk toward Mosteller's car, which was parked in the parking lot of a hotel in Hickory.

Law enforcement tried to arrest Mosteller, but he took off. Law enforcement arrested the other individual and seized the shoebox containing methamphetamine, according to the release. The individual said Mosteller received a delivery of methamphetamine at the hotel the day before.

On June 22, 2023, law enforcement observed Mosteller getting into a vehicle parked in the driveway where he was suspected of being. As Mosteller drove away in the vehicle, law enforcement attempted to stop him, but Mosteller did not stop and drove off at a high rate of speed.

Mosteller traveled several kilometers before hitting an embankment, according to the release. Law enforcement arrested Mosteller and seized a paper bag found inside the vehicle that contained several controlled substances, including fentanyl packaged for distribution. Later that same day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Burke County residence. During the search, law enforcement located additional quantities of fentanyl and digital scales.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Burke County Sheriff's Office, the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and the Hickory Police Department were involved in the investigation, the release states.