GEORGE E. B. HOLDING

CONTACT: 919/856-4530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - JULY 11, 2007

CAREER CRIMINAL SENTENCED TO 284 MONTHS IN PRISON

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday United States District Judge Terrence Boyle sentenced SHERMAN WAYNE HARRELL, of Belhaven, North Carolina, to a 284-month prison term. HARRELL, an armed career criminal, was charged by Indictment with possession of a Ruger Model P89, 9mm pistol and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (crack) on June 15, 2006.

On October 16, 2005 Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department went to arrest HARRELL on outstanding arrest warrants. HARRELL barricaded himself inside a barn and began firing at the officers. No one was injured; however, one deputy had a bullet, fired by HARRELL, pass through the leg of his uniform trouser, narrowly missing his leg.

The investigative agencies included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane J. Jackson prosecuted the case.

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