jury convicts felon of firearm charge
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today a jury convicted a Roseboro man of unlawful possession of a firearm. Following a three-day trial, ANTHONY DEMPS KING, JR., 37, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924. Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III, presided over the trial.
According to the March 21, 2012, Superseding Indictment, KING was found in possession of a Smith & Wesson, .38 caliber revolver, Model Airweight .38 Special. According to evidence presented at trial, on February 9, 2011, Fayetteville Police officers responded to a 9-1-1, shots fired, call at a local club. A description of the vehicle suspected in the shooting was disseminated. Law enforcement located the vehicle and a traffic stop was initiated. As one officer approached the passenger side of the vehicle, the officer saw KING take a handgun from his lap and place it in the rear passenger area of the car.
KING, who has had been convicted in state court on possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a stolen vehicle, and breaking and entering charges, was also convicted in federal court in the 1990’s for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
At sentencing, KING faces up to 10 years imprisonment. If the Court deems him an Armed Career Criminal, then he faces up to a term of life imprisonment.
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.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Moore is prosecuting the case.
