Garner Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years for Narcotics and Firearm Offenses

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced TRAVEON SHAQUILLE MARTIN, 24, of Garner to 130 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

MARTIN was named in a four-count Indictment filed on August 2, 2017.  On October 30, 2017, MARTIN subsequently pled guilty to Distribution of a Quantity of Cocaine Base and Aiding and Abetting; Distribution of a Quantity of Cocaine Base; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

On October 25, 2016, Raleigh Police Department (RPD) officers utilized a confidential informant (CI) to make a controlled purchase of cocaine base (crack) at the New Bern Mart on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh. The CI, who was equipped with audio and video recording equipment, parked his/her vehicle in the parking lot and was approached by a male, who asked the CI what he wanted.  The CI requested $40 worth of crack, at which time the man walked away and retrieved the crack from a second male, later identified as MARTIN, who was sitting in a vehicle.  The man then provided 0.3 gram of crack to the CI.  MARTIN subsequently spoke with the CI and identified himself as “Trigger,” provided the CI with his telephone number, and told the CI to call him next time.

On April 18, 2017, RPD officers observed MARTIN walking down New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, and knew him to have outstanding warrants for his arrest (unrelated to this case).  When MARTIN observed the officers approaching, he attempted to flee on foot, but was pushed to the ground by an officer.  Before that officer was able to make the arrest, MARTIN stood up and took a fighting posture.  MARTIN and the officer engaged in a lengthy struggle while a second officer attempted to assist.  MARTIN struck the second officer in the neck, causing a laceration and a contusion to the officer’s neck.  During the fight, MARTIN attempted to bring his hands to the front of his waistband several times, and officers believed he was attempting to gain access to a weapon based upon the level of resistance and determination MARTIN was displaying. Eventually, the first officer was able to take MARTIN to the ground, at which time the second officer tasered MARTIN.  MARTIN was then placed under arrest.  Officers recovered a stolen .38 caliber revolver from MARTIN’S front waistband. The firearm was loaded with five .38 caliber bullets.  Officers also recovered 10 dosage units (2 grams) of crack and $173 in United States currency from MARTIN’S pants pocket.

The following information was introduced in the hearing by the government to request an enhancement of MARTIN’S sentence.  On November 27, 2017, while awaiting sentencing for this case at the Brunswick County Jail, MARTIN was charged with felony Assault Inflicting Physical Injury of a Law Enforcement, Probation, or Parole Officer and misdemeanor Assault on a Government Official or Employee, and Simple Assault. On November 21, 2017, an officer at the Brunswick County Jail was passing out food trays to inmates when MARTIN slapped a tray out of the officer's hands.  A verbal altercation between the officer and MARTIN ensued, at which time MARTIN struck the officer several times with a closed fist about the face and head, knocking him to the floor.  MARTIN continued to attack the officer while the officer was on the ground and attempting to escape.  Another inmate attempted to help the officer when a third inmate intervened and assaulted the inmate who was attempting to help, which allowed MARTIN to continue his attack on the officer.  Several inmates then engaged in physical altercations while additional officers responded and eventually separated the inmates.  The officer reported that he lost consciousness during the attack.  The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment.  The officer suffered cuts and abrasions about his face, neck, and mouth, and a gash on his head which required stitches. The incident was captured on video which was shown during the sentencing hearing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The Raleigh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Jane J. Jackson handled the prosecution of this case for the government.