Magazine in NC’s Triangle Region Blasts Informants in Drug/Conspiracy Case

Last July a local hip hop artist Donald Stanton “Face” Shealey was sentenced to life in a federal prison for drug trafficking and money-laundering. A magazine recently released in the Raleigh area exposes details of his case including informants and details of co-defendants plea agreements. The publication claims to be just an attempt at “real” and “gritty” journalism but some in the community are calling it a scare tactic.

There is a frightening trend in our country and especially in urban areas like Durham, Raleigh, and Charlotte. The code of the street states that “snitching” or implicating someone in a criminal investigation is wrong and a grave offense. While keeping mum about what you know may seem cool to some, it is a scary trend to most people concerned with the safety of their communities.

The magazine called Diamond Resort is a creation of 23 year old Delora Croudy, a friend of Stanton. She claims that her motive is to “scare young people straight” according to the News-Observer. She may be working to further intimidate those people who would normally come forward with information about a crime, however.

Among other things, the magazine states “The Code of the Streets is Dead” and “Over 100 Names Mentioned In Statements. Is Your Name In There?” The publication doesn’t just include previously unreleased documents but uses photos and names of potential informants as well. Families of those accused and the victims of their offenses are rightfully concerned.

The vast majority of criminal cases end in plea agreements. Oftentimes, the prosecutor will offer to be lenient if you “cooperate” or even testify against someone else who is charged in your case. The moral struggle that goes along with this decision can be incredibly difficult, particularly when you think you may be labeled as a “snitch”.

There are many reasons that facing criminal charges is stressful. The potential prison sentence is only one of these.

If you are facing criminal charges and need help navigating the system and making those tough decisions, an aggressive defense attorney can help. Call our lawyers and we can help you understand how your decisions now, concerning your case, can affect your future in the long run.