Raleigh Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison After a Domestic Dispute Ended in Shots Fired at his Girlfriend

RALEIGH, N.C. – Steven Antonio Peterson, 32, of Raleigh, was sentenced yesterday to 168 months in prison for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Peterson pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Peterson possessed a firearm on August 29, 2021 when he got into an argument with his girlfriend after he broke into her house through the window, hit her in the face with a pistol, and then fired a round at her as she tried to walk away. The round nearly hit her. Peterson then threatened the victim. On September 1, 2021, Raleigh Police arrested Peterson who was carrying a 9-millimeter handgun at the time of arrest.  Ballistics determined that the same firearm was used in the shooting on August 29th. Peterson had previously been convicted of a felony and is not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.

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

The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.

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. 5:22-CR-00145-BO-001.

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