FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - May 6, 2009

CONVICTED FELON PLEADS GUILTY OT UNLAWFUL FIREARM POSSESSION

GREENVILLE - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday MARVIN EARL DANIELS, 38, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge James E. Gates to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A Criminal Information on March 23, 2009. On May 10, 2007, an officer with the Rocky Mount Police Department observed a vehicle in which DANIELS was the front passenger. The officer, being aware of an outstanding arrest warrant for DANIELS, initiated a stop of the car and then placed DANIELS under arrest. A search of the vehicle revealed a Rossi, model 885, .38 caliber revolver under DANIELS’ seat. DANIELS admitted to possessing the firearm after being read his Miranda rights.

DANIELS faces up to 10 years imprisonment followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Mr. Holding commented, “When convicted of a felony, a person gives up many rights and privileges this country has bestowed upon its citizens. One of those rights is the right to bear arms. Because of the violence firearms can cause and because of the seriousness of previously committed offenses, we do not take the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon lightly. We will continue our diligent efforts to bring these offenders to justice.”

Sentencing is set for the August 3, 2009, term of court.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rocky Mount 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.