Virginia Man Charged With Use Of Firearms And Stolen Car In Relation To Attempted Crime Of Interstate Domestic Violence

GREENSBORO, N.C. – A federal grand jury in Greensboro, North Carolina, returned a three count indictment charging Steve Brantley Spence of Norfolk, Virginia, with interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, traveling with the intent to kill, injure, harass, and intimidate in an attempt to commit a crime of domestic violence, and using and carrying firearms in relation to a crime of violence, announced Matt Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

The indictment alleges that on December 3, 2018, Steve Brantley Spence, age 29, transported a stolen 2015 Mercedes Benz ML350 from Virginia to North Carolina, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2312. The indictment further alleges that on December 3, 2018, Spence traveled from Virginia to Greensboro, N.C., with the intent to kill, injure, harass, and intimidate two persons, each of whom then was a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner of Spence, and in the attempt to commit a crime of violence, Spence possessed two handguns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2261(a)(1). The indictment further alleges that on December 3, 2018, Spence did carry and use, by brandishing, two handguns, during and in relation to a crime of interstate domestic violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Spence faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“Let there be no doubt, we will not tolerate people crossing state lines to hunt down former intimate partners, and we will prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “This case reflects the strength of our federal-local partnerships, and the Greensboro Police Department did excellent work to apprehend Mr. Spence without harm to students or school faculty. GPD performed a thorough investigation in conjunction with our office to allow these charges to be brought.”

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greensboro Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica L. Edmisten, and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifton T. Barrett, Criminal Chief of the United States Attorney’s Office.

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