Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to More than 15 Years in Prison For Illegal Gun Possession

NEW BERN, N.C. – A Raleigh man with two prior federal convictions was sentenced as an armed career criminal offender today for possession of a firearm by a felon. Donald Melvin, age 52, was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On March 9, 2023, Melvin pled guilty to the charge. Melvin’s previous convictions for drug trafficking and breaking and entering qualified him as an armed career criminal.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Melvin, 52, was living at an apartment in Raleigh on January 6, 2022, when Raleigh Police Department (RPD) attempted to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Melvin initially lied about his identity. However, RPD officers were able to confirm his identity and took him into custody after Melvin attempted to flee. Melvin was carrying a loaded 9mm gun, and a search of his apartment revealed four additional firearms, ammunition and a variety of narcotics including heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and Phencyclidine. Firearms recovered at the apartment included a 9mm with an extended magazine, two 12-gauge shotguns and .243 caliber rifle,

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx  prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.22-CR-00143-FL.  

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