Jacksonville Man Sentenced For Drug Distribution And Firearms Violation

GREENVILLE - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced CORNELL ALLEN MELVIN, 28, to 200 months imprisonment, followed by a term of 6 years supervised release, a $5,000 fine and $200 special assessment.  MELVIN received an enhanced sentence due to his criminal record and status as a career offender.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a nine-count Criminal Indictment on January 3, 2013.  On April 9, 2013, MELVIN pled guilty to Distribution of a Quantity of Cocaine Base (Crack), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to the investigation, MELVIN engaged in drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Jacksonville area from at least March 2012 to June 2012. On six occasions, MELVIN sold cocaine base (crack) to a confidential informant operating under the direction of law enforcement.  MELVIN also sold the confidential informant two firearms, one with an obliterated serial number.  MELVIN had previously been convicted of numerous felony crimes and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods 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, and by the Jacksonville Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan represented the government.