A man identified as a supplier to a drug ring in western North Carolina has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to a federal prosecutor.

William T. Stetzer, acting US attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said in a press release that Matthew Wondra, 34, of Murphy, was also sentenced to five years on probation following his release from prison. jail.

Court documents and statements from a sentencing hearing show law enforcement learned in September 2018 that Wondra was operating as a supplier in Cherokee and Graham counties and elsewhere.

Court records show that Wondra frequently traveled to Georgia to purchase methamphetamine and heroin and then distributed them to dealers in western North Carolina. On one occasion, officials said, Wondra pointed a gun at the head of a person he accused of stealing the drug money from him and threatened to kill him.

Documents show that between September 2018 and August 2019, Wondra purchased and distributed more than 19 kilograms (41.9 pounds) of methamphetamine and more than 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) of heroin.

In October 2020, Wondra pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. At Thursday’s hearing, he was also sentenced on a variety of additional charges.