Charlotte Man Is Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Marcus Alexander Allen, 29, of Charlotte, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Allen will also be placed on federal supervised release upon completion of his active prison term.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. 

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, on March 5, 2022, CMPD officers responded to a service call for a reported shooting at an apartment complex in Charlotte. Court documents show that law enforcement investigating the incident recovered 79 discharged cartridge cases from the parking lot of the apartment complex. In addition, one of the stray bullets fatally injured a resident while the victim was inside his apartment. According to court records, a Glock .40 caliber firearm with a 22 round magazine was recovered from the parking lot. A forensic analysis determined that Allen’s DNA was on the firearm’s grip and magazine. In addition, the firearm was a match to 19 discharged cartridge cases recovered from the scene of the shooting, however the firearm had not discharged the bullet that fatally injured the victim.

According to documents filed with the court, a search warrant was issued for Allen’s residence. Over the course of the search, law enforcement seized from the residence an SKS rifle, an American Tactical .300 caliber Omni Hybrid with a thirty-round magazine, fentanyl pills, and an ID card from the state of New Jersey bearing Allen’s image with another person’s name. Allen has a prior federal conviction for aggravated identity theft and he is not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.

On August 16, 2023, Allen pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons.

The ATF and CMPD handled the investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.