FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FRIDAY - January 9, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE MAN SENTENCED

NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced ANTWAIN DEVON COUNCIL, 32, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, to 235 months’ imprisonment.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on August 8, 2007. On June 25, 2008, a jury found COUNCIL guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. While on patrol, a Fayetteville Police Officer had noticed COUNCIL walking along the street with an open bottle of beer, which COUNCIL was trying to hide from the officer. The officer got out of his patrol car, jogging toward COUNCIL and calling to him. COUNCIL started to run, then turned and threw the 24-ounce beer bottle at the officer, which hit the officer in the face, causing a laceration that required stitches. A struggle ensued, and once the officer had COUNCIL subdued, the officer found a firearm on the ground under COUNCIL’s legs.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Exum 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.