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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MONDAY, July 24, 2006

RALEIGH MAN SENTENCED TO 48 YEARS
AS A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

NEW BERN - Acting United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that on Thursday, July 20, 2006, in New Bern, N. C., Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan, sentenced defendant VINCENT SUMPTER, age 35, of 3633 Meadow Creek Lane, Raleigh, North Carolina, to 584 months (48 years) imprisonment and fined $250,000. SUMPTER was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm by a jury on March 8, 2006. The enhanced sentence reflects his status as an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. SUMPTER has three prior convictions for second degree robbery, in 1991, 1992 and in 1994.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Dunn Police Department and Raleigh Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane J. Jackson prosecuted the case for the United States. This case is part of the PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS initiative in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.