FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MONDAY - February 23, 2009

KNIGHTDALE FELON RECEIVE 110-MONTH PRISON TERM
FOR FIREARM CHARGES

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court here today United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, sentenced DENNIS MORRIS PERSCELL, 23, of Knightdale, North Carolina, to 110 months’ imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on September 18, 2008. At his arraignment on November 24, 2008, PERSCELL pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. On July 18, 2008, the Raleigh Police Department received information that PERSCELL, who was being sought on four warrants, was residing in Raleigh. After a search warrant for the residence was obtained, Raleigh Police officers took PERSCELL into custody. A search of the residence resulted in seizure of a handgun with an obliterated serial number and ammunition. PERSCELL was searched and $451 was found on him.

PERSCELL, a gang member, has prior convictions that include common law robbery, two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substances, fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, resisting a public officer, conspiring to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, second degree kidnaping, and possession of stolen good/property.

Mr. Holding commented: “I applaud the work of investigators in this case. We must employ all avenues to address gang members in an effort to reduce and avoid violence and other crime.”

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Raleigh 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.