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Press Release
ELIZABETH CITY - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday SAMUEL EARL GAINES, 29, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle to 204 months imprisonment; 3 years supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $400.00 special assessment.
On October 23, 2012, GAINES pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in violation of Title 21, United States Code 841(a) and Possessing and Using a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Offense which occurred on July 11, 2011. In addition GAINES pled guilty to Robbery of a Business in violation of Title 18 United States Code 1951 and Possessing and Using a Firearm during a Crime of Violence which occurred on July 21, 2011.
On July 11, 2011, in Wilmington, he and others went to the home of a man who they believed had a large quantity of marijuana in hopes of robbing the man of his drugs. During the course of the robbery, the victim was shot four times. GAINES and his co-defendants stole various items of personal property from the victim along with a quantity of marijuana which they divided among themselves.
On July 21, 2011, GAINES and others went to Able Auto Insurance Agency in Wilmington and robbed the business of money while holding the employees at gun point. The investigation revealed GAINES and his two co-defendants went to a Dollar General store immediately before the robbery to buy sunglasses to wear during the robbery.
When questioned by law enforcement, GAINES admitted his involvement in both robberies.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Wilmington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Charity Wilson is serving as prosecutor for the government. Ms. Wilson is a prosecutor with the New Hanover County District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Ben David has assigned her to the United States Attorney's Office to prosecute federal Project Safe Neighborhood cases and other violent crime cases.