Smithfield Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison after Pointing a Gun at a Police Officer

RALEIGH, N.C. – Louis Melvin Hill, 55, of Smithfield was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records and evidence presented in court, on the evening of April 10, 2022, a Johnston County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a shots fired call on Bakers Chapel Road in Smithfield, NC. Once on scene, the deputy approached Louis Melvin Hill, who was sitting in a parked truck. During the ensuing encounter, Hill retrieved a loaded, .22 caliber revolver and pointed it at the deputy. The deputy grabbed the firearm and pulled it away from Hill. Hill ignored commands to exit the truck and instead drove away from the deputy at a high rate of speed, instigating a pursuit. Eventually Hill stopped the truck and ran on foot but was located with the assistance of a law enforcement K-9 officer. Hill is a convicted felon and may not lawfully possess any firearm.

Hill was named in a single-count indictment on July 21, 2022, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on May 11, 2023.

Michael Easley, 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 Johnston County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Former Special Assistant United States Attorney, M. Yasir Sadat, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Sarah E. Nokes and Jaren Kelly prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. 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-176-D.