A Beaufort County man will spend 14 to 17 years behind bars.

Allen Douglas May, of West Martin Luther King Drive in Washington, was convicted and sentenced on drug charges Wednesday.

May, age 50, was convicted of charges involving cocaine and opium. The opium was in the form of Percocet pain medication. He was sentenced to five consecutive jail terms, followed by 6 to 8 months of probation.

Indictments and evidence show lawmen worked with a cooperating witness to purchase drugs from May.

Officials say May may face other charges, stemming from a 2007 case.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, May has a record stretching back to 1986 that spans Beaufort, Pitt and Edgecombe counties. He has been convicted and sentenced to prison or probation on drug charges, assault on a female, communicating threats, damage to property, larceny and driving with a revoked license.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Thomas Anglim prosecuted this week's case in Beaufort County.

“The prosecution of Allen Douglas May should serve as an example of the ongoing efforts of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Police Department to vigorously prosecute the war on drug and to protect Beaufort County from drug dealers," Anglim said. "The trafficking of cocaine and opiates, such as Percocet and other pain medications is very serious business. The sentence Mr. May received sends a message that drug traffickers, at any level, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”