FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FRIDAY - September 12, 2008

HOPE MILLS MAN RECEIVED OVER 4 YEARS ON GUN CHARGE

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court here yesterday United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced TORRIAN DONTEZ KNOWLES, 19, of Hope Mills, North Carolina, to 50 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on August 23, 2007. On March 4, 2008, KNOWLES pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On November 23, 2006, an off-duty Fayetteville Police Officer, working at a club, observed a fight taking place in the parking lot of the club. As he approached the altercation, the officer saw KNOWLES discharge a .40 caliber handgun from the front passenger window. KNOWLES was then arrested.

Mr. Holding commented: “My office will continue to deliver the message to criminals and communities that violence will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and just law enforcement action.”

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Fayetteville Police 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.