RALEIGH, N.C. – The grim tale of Joe Levaughn Smith, Sr., 63, from Harnett County, reached its conclusion with a severe sentence: 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal firearm possession during the harrowing search for a missing child.
Smith faced justice after pleading guilty on May 17, 2024, to charges that highlighted the relentless pursuit of public safety. Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar emphasized the importance of law enforcement partnerships in making communities safer. “A missing child was safely recovered, and an armed felon was held accountable,” said Bubar.
Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina, praised the collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies. He stated, “We remain committed to pursuing individuals who prey on the vulnerable and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.”
The investigation took a turn on January 25, 2022, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence in Bunnlevel. The case had been initiated to recover a mother and child missing since 2016. During the search, Smith became irate and noncompliant, threatening officers and intentionally coughing towards them. Smith had previously threatened government employees and law enforcement in 2021.
A search of the residence yielded four firearms: a .22 caliber rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, and a 9mm handgun. Smith, as a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case after investigation by the U.S. Marshal’s Service (USMS), Fayetteville Police Department, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), ATF, and other agencies.
The sentence was announced by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III following a proceeding that underscored the consequences of criminal behavior under federal law. For more details on this case, visit the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-00017-D.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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