NEW BERN, N.C. (NCN News) – A federal jury convicted a Laurinburg man last week on eight charges including first degree murder, drug conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Kenneth Maurice Quick, Jr., 26, murdered WL and TD. After that following a series of events, Quick agreed to buy cocaine from WL, only he never intended to pay. TD sold the cocaine to WL, and joined him on the trip to sell it to Quick. Quick took WL to a trap house in Laurinburg where he shot him in the back five times. Then, TD agreed to help Quick dump WL’s body at a rural location in the woods on Ft. Bragg, hoping to avoid the same fate. However, when the truck bottomed out in the sand, Quick killed TD: shooting him once in the head and once in the back. Quick then coordinated with others to escape Ft. Bragg. The next day Quick and his coconspirators ransacked, moved, and burned TD’s truck.
“This verdict ensures that North Carolina is a safer place. A killer will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Despite fantastical claims in media accounts, this jury heard the actual facts and determined the truth of what happened. The victims and their families obtained a measure of justice, but the wounds will never be truly healed.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
In the lead up to the trial, Quick passed the names of two potential witnesses against him (spelling the names letter by letter) and discussed the “work” those witnesses required. When Quick’s mom later told him that one of the witnesses was killed, he responded, “Damn, you don’t know how happy that makes me feel.”
“Quick likely believed he got away with killing two men and discharging their bodies on Fort Bragg property without a second thought. He clearly didn’t consider the dedication and expertise of the FBI Special Agents who, working with our partners from the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, followed the evidence and put together a meticulous timeline of his crimes. The verdict, guilty on all eight federal counts related to murder, drugs, illegal firearms, and obstruction tells the story. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will make certain violent criminals are always held accountable,” said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
Quick faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment when sentenced in August 2026. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the verdict. The FBI and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division led the investigations in the case.