FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TUESDAY - February 3, 2009

WILLIAMSTON FELON SENTENCED TO OVER 17 YEARS
IN PRISON FOR FIREARM POSSESSION

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court here yesterday United States District Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced DESMOND JAMAR SMITH, 23, of Williamston, North Carolina, to 210 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on May 22, 2008. At his arraignment on September 8, 2008, SMITH pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On December 28, 2007, officers with the Williamston Police Department received information that SMITH was in possession of several firearms. SMITH was located and a traffic stop initiated. A search of his vehicle revealed a stolen, loaded Taurus, Model PT92 9mm semi-automatic handgun with ammunition.

SMITH’s previous convictions include possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, several counts of breaking and entering, injury to real property, larceny, assault on a female, and two counts of possession of a stolen firearm.

Mr. Holding commented: “The sentence in this case should be a stark reminder to convicted felons – if you’re armed, the penalty will be heavy.”

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Williamston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes 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.