FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - MARCH 5, 2008

CONVICTED FELON FOUND WITH FIREARM

WILMINGTON - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that in federal court United States District Judge James C. Fox sentenced BILLY WAYNE LILES, of Zebulon, North Carolina, to 24 months’ imprisonment and 3 years supervised release.

On March 7, 2007, a federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment. LILES pleaded guilty on July 17, 2007, to being in possession of a firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony. After receiving complaints about illegal activity at Liles’ residence, on April 20, 2006, officers with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office went to the residence to speak with Liles. Officers conducted a consent search and found a loaded firearm, a Titan .25 caliber pistol, inside the residence.

“The citizens must be commended for their vigilance. Their positive action in contacting law enforcement with their concerns assisted in keeping their neighborhood safe.” commended George Holding, United States Attorney.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson served as prosecutor for the government.

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