Christopher Michael Caulder, Felon in Possession of Firearm, North Carolina 2022

A Wilmington resident has been sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison for possessing firearms after making suicidal and homicidal threats in Alamance County. Christopher Michael Caulder, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to a 42-month term of imprisonment by the Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, United States District Judge.

According to court records, on November 7, 2022, Deputies with the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call that Caulder was making suicidal and homicidal threats. When Deputies responded to the scene and spoke with Caulder’s mother, they learned that Caulder had a safe in the basement which contained multiple firearms and a large amount of ammunition, which he brought there from his residence in Wilmington, NC.

A search warrant was applied for and granted by a state magistrate. During execution of the search warrant, investigators recovered 23 firearms, several thousand rounds of various calibers of ammunition, hundreds of magazines, body armor, firearm accessories, and multiple incomplete firearm receivers (aka ghost guns). Three of the rifles recovered had barrels shorter than 16 inches. One of the rifles appeared to have a hole drilled for the installation of a fully automatic trigger system. While being interviewed, Caulder made statements indicating he was attempting to make a machine gun.

At the time of these offenses, Caulder had been previously convicted of Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property (Alamance County, 2019) and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. Thus, at the time of the instant offense, Caulder was legally barred from possessing a firearm due to his status as a felon.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracy M. Williams-Durham.

Caulder’s sentencing comes as a significant blow to his plans to possess and manufacture firearms. His prior conviction and subsequent actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the law and a significant risk to public safety.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to disregard the law and pose a risk to public safety are held accountable.

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