FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FRIDAY - April 1, 2011

FELON SENTENCED FOR FIREARMS CHARGES

NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced CHRISTOPHER HAROLD GOINS, 35, of Leland, North Carolina, to 240 months’ imprisonment followed by five years supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on September 15, 2010. On January 12, 2011, GOINS pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924, and possession of a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2).

According to the investigation, in July, 2010, GOINS was released from the North Carolina Department of Corrections. Five days later GOINS was arrested for rape. While in custody, GOINS admitted to possessing a Winchester, Model 1300 Ranger, .12 gauge shotgun, two days earlier. Further investigation revealed the firearm had been stolen.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods(PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

GOINS criminal felonious record includes two counts of assault with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and one count each of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapons, possession of cocaine, and breaking and entering.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wilmington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane J. Jackson 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.