Moyock Felon Gets 77 Months for Illegal Firearm

NEW BERN, N.C. – Another gun-toting ex-con is off the streets. Zakem Rahmere Clinton, 27, of Moyock, North Carolina, was sentenced to a hefty 77 months in federal prison today for the simple act of a felon possessing a firearm. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan, and it’s a clear message: if you’re a convicted criminal, don’t even *think* about having a gun.

The bust went down at Clinton’s Moyock residence after the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office caught wind from authorities in Virginia Beach, Virginia, that Clinton was a person of interest in a homicide investigation. Deputies weren’t messing around – they executed a search warrant and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun stashed in Clinton’s bedroom. No surprise, Clinton admitted to having the weapon on the very night the killing occurred. Connecting the dots isn’t hard, even for the DA.

This wasn’t a case of a hunting rifle locked in a closet. This was a loaded handgun, readily accessible to a man already barred from owning one. The feds don’t play when it comes to illegal firearms, especially when they’re linked to potential violent crimes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined forces with the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office to build a solid case against Clinton. It’s a textbook example of interagency cooperation.

U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement, emphasizing the commitment to keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case, navigating the complexities of federal gun laws and securing a significant prison term. This isn’t just about one gun; it’s about disrupting the cycle of violence.

Court documents related to this case – Case No. 2:19-CR-00007-FL – are available for review on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina website and through PACER. For those keeping score at home, this case highlights the real-world consequences of illegal gun possession and the dedication of law enforcement to holding offenders accountable.

As the Department of Justice celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, cases like Clinton’s serve as a reminder of its enduring mission: to uphold the law and protect the public. You can find more information about the DOJ’s history at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. But let’s be clear – history doesn’t matter much to a bullet. And Clinton found that out the hard way.