FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TUESDAY - December 14, 2010

ROCKY MOUNT MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MACHINE GUN CHARGES

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today WILLIAM EDWARD CARTEE, 77, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, pled guilty before United States District Judge James C. Dever III, to transfer of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o).

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on October 7, 2010.

According to the investigation, after learning of that CARTEE possessed and sold machine guns, a controlled purchase was arranged on March 22, 2010, in which CARTEE sold a STEN-type machine gun. On April 1, 2010, the undercover officer returned to CARTEE’s residence to discuss the purchase of CARTEE’s entire collection, which included a number of machine guns and long guns. On May 5, 2010, the sale was concluded. CARTEE was detained once he finished assisting in the loading of the guns into the car. A search warrant of CARTEE’s residence was executed on May 5, 2010, in which firearms, machine gun parts, ammunition, and various other items were seized.

At sentencing, CARTEE faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment followed by up to three years’ supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David Bragdon represented the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.