Submitted by Office of District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced the successful prosecution of a Swain County man on drug trafficking charges on Monday, July 14, 2025.
A Haywood County Superior Court jury late Friday found Clinton Leslie Ensley, 45, guilty of:
- One count trafficking in opium, opiate, opioid or heroin by transporting 28 grams or more of fentanyl.
- One count trafficking in opium, opiate, opioid or heroin by possessing 28 grams or more of fentanyl.
- One count conspiracy to commit trafficking by transporting 28 grams or more of fentanyl opium, opiate, opioid or heroin.
- One count of conspiracy to commit trafficking by possessing 28 grams or more of fentanyl.
- One count of trafficking in methamphetamine by transporting 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams.
- One count of trafficking in methamphetamine by possessing 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams.
Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus sentenced Ensley to a minimum active prison sentence of 49 years. He also imposed state-mandated fines totaling $2.1 million…