FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - December 12, 2007

TARBORO MAN PLEADS GUILTY

GREENVILLE - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that in federal court today NORMAN EARL RUFFIN, 50, of Tarboro, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge James E. Gates to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). On August 27, 2005, Tarboro Police Officers responded to a shots fired call where RUFFIN had brandished a pistol and threatened to kill a victim. When officers went to arrest RUFFIN, he took off running and threw a case containing a rifle. Sentencing is set for March 3, 2008. RUFFIN faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tarboro Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson is prosecution for the government. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhood’s Zero Tolerance for gun violence.

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