Charlotte’s transportation center became the scene of a drug and weapons bust last year, culminating this week with Everett Jamal Taite, 30, sentenced to a decade behind bars. The feds hit Taite with the full weight of the law after he was found packing a stolen .45 caliber handgun alongside a small bag of cocaine.
On October 4th, 2022, law enforcement spotted Taite inside a restroom at the Charlotte Transportation Center. He wasn’t there to catch a bus. Officers quickly discovered he was in possession of the narcotics and, when confronted, things escalated. Taite allegedly resisted arrest, even striking an officer, and brazenly claimed he was armed. A search revealed he wasn’t bluffing – a loaded .45 was tucked into his waistband.
The pistol quickly traced back to a stolen weapon report. This wasn’t a first-time offense for Taite. Court records show a lengthy rap sheet including prior convictions for conspiracy to commit robbery, multiple breaking and entering charges, and, critically, prior gun possession as a convicted felon. The feds weren’t dealing with a first-timer.
Taite pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen firearm on April 17, 2023, likely hoping for leniency. Judge Kenneth D. Bell wasn’t buying it. He handed down the 10-year sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The message is clear: bringing stolen guns and drugs into a public transit hub will carry significant consequences.
Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly, built a solid case, relying heavily on the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein and his team traced the weapon and linked it to a previous theft, solidifying the charges against Taite.
This case is being touted as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence in communities nationwide. Taite is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to a facility to begin serving his sentence. The feds are sending a message: they’re serious about keeping illegal firearms off the streets and holding repeat offenders accountable.
The Charlotte Transportation Center, a major hub for commuters and travelers, remains a focus for law enforcement. This incident underscores the ongoing battle to prevent it from becoming a haven for criminal activity. Sources within the ATF indicate increased patrols and surveillance in the area.
Taite’s decade-long sentence serves as a stark warning to others considering similar actions. The combination of drug possession, resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, and possessing a stolen firearm proved to be a recipe for a lengthy federal prison term. This isn’t just about a gun; it’s about a pattern of disregard for the law and a threat to public safety.
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Key Facts
- Category: Weapons
- Source: U.S. Department of Justice
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