Erwin Man Sentenced For Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon

RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday LESLIE AARON MCKEITHAN, 29, of Erwin, North Carolina was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III to 120 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. 

On October 29, 2012, MCKEITHAN pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(a)(2).

According to the investigation, on November 26, 2011, Dunn Police Department Officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart parking lot in reference to a domestic assault.  Upon arrival witnesses informed officers they observed MCKEITHAN and a female arguing.  During the course of the argument, MCKEITHAN struck the female several times and took her purse.  When a witness attempted to help the female, MCKEITHAN pulled a firearm from his waist band and threatened the witness.  MCKEITHAN then walked away and put the firearm and the purse in the victim’s car.  The female gave police consent to search her car and officers seized a .25 caliber semi-automatic firearm.  MCKEITHAN was placed under arrest and acknowledged the firearm belonged to him.  MCKEITHAN was previously convicted of a violent felony in State court.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Dunn Police Department, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer E. Wells prosecuted the case.