RALEIGH, N.C. – Diamonique Shawn Newton, 33, is trading his Facebook feed for federal prison bars. The Wake County resident was sentenced to 78 months – six and a half years – for being a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III, sends a clear message: flaunt illegal weapons online, and you *will* pay the price.
The case unfolded after the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) flagged Newton’s social media activity in February 2024. Pictures posted on his Facebook page showed him brazenly holding a firearm – a major red flag given his extensive criminal history. The investigation quickly escalated when Newton upped the ante, livestreaming a video on February 26th where he repeatedly pointed the gun directly at the camera. It wasn’t a boast; it was a confession waiting to happen.
RPD didn’t wait for an incident. A search warrant was executed on Newton’s Raleigh home on February 29th, turning up a small arsenal. Officers recovered two firearms, one of which was confirmed stolen. They also found over 180 grams of marijuana and an assortment of drug paraphernalia. Newton readily admitted ownership of the stolen weapon, confessing to purchasing it on the street – a classic move for someone already operating outside the law.
This wasn’t Newton’s first dance with the justice system. His rap sheet stretches back nearly two decades, littered with drug and weapons offenses. He’s a repeat offender with prior felony convictions for possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana in both 2011 and 2018. Even more damning, he was previously convicted of *attempted* possession of a firearm by a felon in 2013 – a clear indication he hadn’t learned his lesson.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the sentencing, highlighting the collaborative effort of the RPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaren Kelly and Kimberly Dixon successfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Newton will spend a significant portion of his life behind bars. This isn’t just about a gun; it’s about a pattern of disregard for the law.
For those interested in further details, a copy of the press release is available on the Department of Justice website. Court documents and case information (Case No. 4:24-CR-00074-D-RJ) can also be found on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina website or through PACER. Newton’s livestream may have sought attention, but it ultimately delivered a one-way ticket to federal prison.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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