Lumberton Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Firearm Crimes

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Lumberton man was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for possessing firearms as a convicted felon.  On June 9, 2021, Michael Hucks pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, from December of 2019 until January of 2020, law enforcement conducted an investigation into illegal firearm and drug trafficking occurring at 55 Van Born Drive in Lumberton, North Carolina. 55 Van Born Drive was a known drug house where armed drug dealers sold significant quantities of crack cocaine. In addition, multiple shootings were reported in and around the residence.  

On December 12, 2019, a confidential informant purchased a loaded AR-15 style rifle from Michael Hucks and another target of the investigation. Less than a week later, on December 18, 2019, a confidential informant purchased another rifle from Hucks.

Prior to December 12, 2019, Hucks had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was prohibited from possessing firearms. In fact, Hucks was previously convicted of three violent felony offenses and determined to be an Armed Career Criminal at his sentencing hearing.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Lumberton Police Department, and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Rhoades 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. 7:20-CR-00184-D.