Wilmington Gunman Sentenced for Meth and Ghost Guns

New Bern, N.C. – The grim tale of Wilmington’s David Hedge, 22, concludes with a sentence of 75 months for methamphetamine distribution and possessing a firearm to aid in drug trafficking. This included selling not one but two firearms, one stolen and the other a privately manufactured ‘Ghost Gun’, which he claimed was untraceable.

‘Non-serialized ghost guns are increasingly getting into the hands of drug traffickers and contributing to the violence in our communities,’ U.S. Attorney Michael Easley warned. ‘The defendant’s once-bragged-about ‘untraceable’ gun has now led to a very traceable prison sentence,’ Easley added.

Hedge’s illegal activities were uncovered during Operation “Golfer,” an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). On September 1, 2021, Hedge sold an ounce of meth to an undercover ATF agent and showed off a ‘Ghost Gun’ made on a 3-D printer. Two days later, he sold two loaded firearms and more meth to the same agent.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Michael Easley, made the announcement following sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The ATF and local law enforcement agencies, including the New Hanover and Brunswick County Sheriffs’ Offices, investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Gabe Diaz prosecuted it.

Further details on this chilling case 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. 7:22-CR-00037-FL.