Brian Jackie Harper pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess and distribute heroin

Brian Jackie Harper, who was sentenced in New Bern federal court, pleaded guilty in December to conspiring to possess and distribute heroin.His conviction was part of an operation dubbed Man O War between September 2005 and October 2006, the release stated.Harper has prior convictions for cocaine trafficking, cocaine possession with intent to deliver and heroin possession with intent to deliver, the news release said.The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Wilmington police and Onslow County Sheriff's office investigated the case.Harper was arrested after investigators made numerous controlled heroin buys, the release said.The buys netted nearly 400 grams of heroin, said New Hanover District Attorney Ben David.New Hanover County Assistant District Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case in federal court as part of a partnership between the county district attorney's office and the U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute serious drug offenses in federal court.Severo has been designated as a special assistant United States attorney.
"This plea demonstrates our continued commitment to aggressively prosecute criminals who are distributing heroin in our community," David said Monday.