ELIZABETH CITY - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court on July 11, 2012, SAMUEL LEE COOPER, JR., 36, pled guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), and possessing a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, Untied States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).  United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle presided over the hearing.

     The June 6, 2012, Superseding Indictment, alleges that the offenses took place on October 4, 2010.  According to the evidence presented in court, COOPER was a drug dealer operating in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  When law enforcement went to COOPER’S residence they noticed marijuana in plain view.  A search warrant was obtained and officers found a Norinco, model SKS, 7.62 fully automatic rifle along with ammunition for the rifle and a Smith and Wesson .22 caliber Ruger revolver.     

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.

At sentencing, set for October 15, 2012, COOPER faces up to a term of life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and up to 10 years imprisonment for possessing a machinegun.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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