Oxford Men Sentenced For Shooting Of Federal Witness

NEW BERN - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, United States District Judge Louise W. Flannagan sentenced ANTONIO O’DARIAN REED, 20,of Oxford, North Carolina, to 196 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release for attempt to kill with intent to retaliate against an informant and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and aiding and abetting.  REED previously pled guilty to these charges on January 14, 2014.  On November 7, 2014, Judge Flannagan sentenced REED’S co-defendant, ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ CROWELL, 23, of Oxford, North Carolina, to 128 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release for obstruction of justice by retaliating against an informant, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.   

The investigation revealed that on July 10, 2013, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives utilized a cooperating witness to attempt a controlled purchase of heroin and cocaine base (crack) from CROWELL and REED.  On August 29, 2013, the cooperating witness was standing in the parking lot of a Granville County gasoline station when a vehicle approached occupied by CROWELL in the driver’s seat, REED in the front-passenger seat, and an unindicted individual in the back seat.  As the cooperating witness pumped gas into his vehicle, REED brandished a firearm and discharged two rounds in the direction of cooperating witness.  The cooperating witness was struck and sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Henderson Police Department, and the Oxford Police Department.  The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan.