Recidivist Gang Member Receives 13 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Sawed-Off Rifle

NEW BERN, N.C. – Kawshie Chapman, 49, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 160 months in prison for drug and firearm offenses after selling drugs and guns, including a sawed-off .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle with a 110-round magazine that was unregistered, to an undercover agent. Chapman is a member of the United Blood Nation, commonly referred to as the “Bloods” street gang.

“This conviction and sentencing takes an armed drug dealer with gang ties off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute the individuals contributing to the violence in our communities.”

“ATF has always made the pursuit and capture of violent gang members a priority,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein. “These individuals have a major impact on public safety, often responsible for bringing in many of the illegal firearms recovered by ATF and our law enforcement partners.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on May 13, 2021, Chapman and co-defendant Rhonesa Greene-McNeil sold an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agent 476 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. A few days later, Chapman contacted the undercover agent and asked if he was interested in purchasing two firearms. On the day of the sale, Chapman sent Greene-McNeil to handle the transaction. Greene-McNeil arrived and sold the ATF agent a sawed-off .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle with a 110-round magazine that was loaded with 62 rounds and a second magazine that appeared to hold 30 rounds, as well as a 9mm handgun. 

Chapman has prior convictions for Trafficking in Cocaine (1998 and 1999), Manufacturing, Dispensing, or Distributing or Possessing with the Intent to Distribute Heroin or Cocaine (2015), Bail Jumping (2017), and Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (2020). Chapman had been released from prison in July 2020.

Chapman pleaded guilty to three offenses on March 15, 2023: conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; and possession of an unregistered sawed-off rifle. Greene-McNeil received a sentence of 120 months in prison for her role in these offenses. (Case Number 7:22-CR-0025-FL-1)

This is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the New Hanover and Brunswick County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Wilmington Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Gabe Diaz 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. 7:22-CR-0025-FL-4.