DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Acting United States Attorney Edward R. Ryan
Western District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2009

CONTACT: Suellen Pierce
704.338.3120
Fax: 704.227.0264

CHARLOTTE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT Dion Coxton Convicted at Trial on Firearms Charges in Conjunction with Drug Dealing CHARLOTTE, NC—Dion Coxton, 34, of Charlotte, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Charlotte to serve a federal prison sentence of life plus 405 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in a drug conspiracy which operated in and around the Charlotte metro area during July and August 2004. At a July 2008 federal trial, the jury found Coxton guilty on numerous counts: one count of “crack” cocaine conspiracy, one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, one count of knowing and unlawful use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime in the course of such violation causing the death of a person through the use of the firearms, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine.

Today’s announcement is made by Acting U.S. Attorney Edward R. Ryan, Zebedee T. Graham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for North and South Carolina, and Chief Rodney Monroe of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The case was investigated by Special Agent Terry Tadeo of ATF in Charlotte, and Detectives Mike Burke, John Fish and Scott Maxfield of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Handling the prosecution for the government were Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. O’Malley and Craig D. Randall of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,Criminal Division, Charlotte, N.C.

Coxton was found guilty following a six-day trial which ended July 30, 2008. The trial of Dion Coxton concluded an investigation of drug trafficking which led to the federal indictment of four (4) individuals on federal drug and firearms violations in September 2005. Coxton’s codefendants entered pleas of guilty. The federal case, which came as the result of a local investigation, stemmed from an August 2004 shooting at the Greenbrier Apartment Complex, in Charlotte.

At Coxton’s jury trial, testimony and other evidence established that Coxton had conspired with others, including co-defendant Montare Goodman, to distribute more than 50 grams of “crack” cocaine in the Charlotte area during the summer of 2004. Goodman, who had purchased what he later learned was counterfeit “crack” cocaine for $700 during the conspiracy, met with Coxton on August 3, 2004, to get a firearm in order to rob the counterfeit “crack” cocaine dealers of Goodman’s drug proceeds paid earlier for the counterfeit “crack.” Testimony showed that Coxton agreed to accompany Goodman to assist in the robbery and armed himself with a handgun. Goodman also enlisted co-defendant Royre Ervin to arrange a purchase of “crack” cocaine from the counterfeit “crack” dealers, and Damion Miller to drive Goodman and Coxton to the meeting site. As the meeting between Ervin and murder victim Marvin Clark took place in the parking lot of the Greenbrier Apartment complex off of Sharon Amity Road in Charlotte, Coxton and Goodman ambushed Clark, who attempted to run away. Forensic ballistics evidence and testimony introduced at trial established that Coxton fired at least three rounds from a Hi-Point .380 hand gun, and Goodman fired eight rounds from a .22 caliber long rifle which Goodman had obtained from Ervin. A .22 caliber bullet struck Clark’s spine in his neck, causing instant paralysis and death. Goodman snatched several gold chains from the murder victim’s neck and on the same day tried unsuccessfully with his co-defendant’s to pawn the murder victim’s jewelry at two local pawn shops.

According to evidence presented at trial and at today’s sentencing hearing, Coxton’s criminal history includes a prior murder conviction in 1991, for which he was imprisoned until November 2003. Federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.

Montare Goodman
Age: 26
Last known residence: Charlotte, NC
Sentenced October 30, 2008 to 15 years’ imprisonment

Royre Ervin
Age: 27
Last known residence: Charlotte, NC
Sentenced July 19, 2007 to 13 years’ imprisonment

Dion Coxton
Age: 34
Last known residence: Charlotte, NC
Convicted by jury following six-day trial on July 30, 2008
In federal custody since October 2005
Sentenced April 7, 2009 to Life plus 405 months’ imprisonment

Damion Miller
Age: 31
Last known residence: Charlotte, NC
Sentenced April 23, 2007 to ten years’ imprisonment