Illegal firearms trafficker sentenced to over 10 years in prison

GREENSBORO – A Guilford County man was sentenced today for the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms after a months-long investigation into the sale of 20 firearms in Greensboro, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.   

MARCUS DEVON DALTON, age 30, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to illegal possession and trafficking firearms in May 2024. According to court records, in April 2022, a confidential informant (CI) contacted an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding an illegal firearms dealer who was supplying both firearms and machinegun conversion devices in Greensboro. The ATF agent coordinated multiple controlled purchases with the CI wherein DALTON illegally sold 20 firearms, including AR-15s, from May 2022 to September 2023. At the time of these events, DALTON was also a previously convicted felon and was therefore barred from possessing firearms.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greensboro Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole DuPré.

This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022.  The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

A copy of this press release will be posted on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 1:24CR81-1.

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