Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing a Firearm on the Outer Banks

NEW BERN, N.C. – An Elizabeth City man was sentenced today to 180 months in prison as an Armed Career Criminal after being found with a stolen firearm in Kill Devil Hills, NC.  On June 8, 2021, Deangelo Maurice Joyner pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the case.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Joyner, 46, was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Dare County.  Deputies from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office with assistance by the Kill Devil Hills Police Department quickly located Joyner driving the truck involved in the accident and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.  After deputies saw an open container of alcohol and suspected drug paraphernalia on the passenger seat of the truck, Joyner was removed from the vehicle.  After a search of his person, deputies located a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine loaded with ammunition in his waistband.  The gun had been reported stolen from Currituck County. 

Joyner has many prior violent felony convictions, making him an Armed Career Criminal under federal law, including: Robbery by Force, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Robbery, and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.  He also has prior convictions for Felony Attempted Grand Larceny from the Person, Fleeing or Eluding Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, and DUI. 

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office and the Kill Devil Hills Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-CR-00011-FL.