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Columbus County Man Sentenced for Gun Offense
A Chadbourn man has been sentenced to 60 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Paul Freeman, 39, pleaded guilty to the charge on April 22, 2021.
Freeman was found to have possessed a 9mm handgun in connection with his sale of crack and cocaine. Law enforcement received complaints in the Spring of 2020 that Freeman was selling drugs from his residence in Chadbourn. Freeman had a history of drug offenses, including multiple prior convictions and pending state charges related to drug trafficking from 2017 and 2018.
On March 11, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Freeman’s residence, recovering paraphernalia, digital scales, quantities of crack and cocaine, and a 9mm handgun found together in a closet.
Acting U.S. Attorney G. Norman Acker, III, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Stephany prosecuting.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina implements the PSN Program through its Take Back North Carolina Initiative, which emphasizes sustained collaboration between law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices to reduce violent crime rates.
More information on the case can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina website or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:20-CR-00097-M.
The investigation and prosecution of this case is a prime example of the efforts being made to combat crime in the region. By working together, law enforcement and the community can make a positive impact on reducing crime and making our neighborhoods safer.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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