FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FRIDAY - February 4, 2011

CLAYTON FELON RECEIVES FEDERAL SENTENCE

NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced DANIEL CHARLES LEWIS, 24, of Clayton, North Carolina, to 324 months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release. The Court also imposed a fine of $8,000.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on May 5, 2010. On November 9, 2010, LEWIS pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On July 2, 2009, law enforcement performed a traffic stop on a vehicle in which LEWIS was a passenger. Before the vehicle stopped, LEWIS jumped out of the vehicle and ran. LEWIS was caught, following a vehicle and foot chase, and began struggling with the officer. During the struggle, LEWIS then took out a Bersa, Thunder Model .380 caliber pistol and pointed the gun at the officer. LEWIS attempted to pull the trigger but the officer maneuvered the weapon so it could not fire. Eventually the officer was able to take the gun away from LEWIS. LEWIS escaped again and ran until he was surrounded by other law enforcement officers who had arrived as backup. LEWIS was then taken into custody.

LEWIS’ criminal felony history includes three counts of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and intent to commit felony larceny. The Court determined that LEWIS was an Armed Career Offender and applied a sentencing enhancement after hearing testimony from the officer that LEWIS attempted to shoot.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods(PSN) initiative 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 this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office; and the Clayton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Bragdon represented 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.