Pembroke Man Sentenced To Prison For Robbery

GREENVILLE– United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced AARON CODY MAYNOR, 28 from Pembroke,  to 108 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for robbery and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.  MAYNOR pled guilty to the charges on January 8, 2018. Charged with MAYNOR was co-defendant VINCENT LOCKLEAR, who was sentenced to 184 months imprisonment on April 19, 2018, for the same charges.

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Confidential Informant ("CI") identified LOCKLEAR as a known armed drug trafficker in Robeson County in early 2017.  In early January 2017, the CI set up a deal to purchase narcotics from LOCKLEAR.   The CI and LOCKLEAR had additional communications after their first meeting and set up a January 13, 2017 meeting, in which the CI was supposed to purchase a pistol, and possibly other firearms, and receive additional narcotics.  ATF provided the CI with official government funds, as well as other ATF property.

LOCKLEAR asked the CI to pick him up at the Walmart in Pembroke, North Carolina.  LOCKLEAR stated that he had a friend that lived in the area attempting to sell firearms.  LOCKLEAR offered to introduce the CI to this friend, and they drove together in the CI's car to a nearby address, also in Pembroke, North Carolina, which is in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The CI was acting in his capacity as an ATF CI and had lawful charge of the ATF funds and property.

LOCKLEAR directed the CI where to park on the property.  Once parked, MAYNOR and another individual, who is a minor, were present and approached the CI's car.  LOCKLEAR told the CI that these were his friends and they had several firearms for sale.  Next, LOCKLEAR retrieved a .380 caliber pistol from his waistband and pointed it at the CI, telling the CI not to "act stupid" and to hand over the money. At this time, MAYNOR also retrieved a firearm-a pistol grip shotgun and assisted LOCKLEAR in robbing the CI. They took the CI's car keys, government funds, other ATF property, the CI's wallet, one of his shoes, and the CI's necklace.

After the robbery, LOCKLEAR and MAYNOR fled.  Agents followed them to a residence that has been identified as LOCKLEAR's in Pembroke.  LOCKLEAR and MAYNOR were quickly arrested.  Pursuant to a state search warrant, agents searched LOCKLEAR's residence.  They seized a pistol grip shotgun, a .380 pistol and other firearms and ammunition; the CI's ATF-provided funds; LOCKLEAR's cell phone; the CI's red and black air Jordan shoe; the CI's wallet and keys; and currency, which was a portion of the money taken during the robbery. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.  The federal prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar.