Plymouth Gang Member Gilliam Sentenced to 10 Years for 2021 Shooting

New Bern, N.C. – Melvin Donnell Gilliam, a 35-year-old Plymouth man and member of the Nine-Trey Bloods gang, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday, July 25, 2021.

On March 12, 2024, Gilliam pled guilty to charges stemming from an altercation with members of the rival Eight-Trey Crips gang. According to court documents, Gilliam and another individual went to a White City neighborhood residence where they encountered two members of the Crips. A verbal dispute escalated, leading to Gilliam brandishing a firearm and opening fire at one of his rivals, causing serious injuries.

Law enforcement officers responding to the scene discovered a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm pistol with blood stains in a backyard trashcan, along with three shell casings matching the gun. The North Carolina State Crime Lab confirmed that the blood found on the firearm was more likely Gilliam’s DNA than not.

Gilliam faces pending state charges including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a firearm within city limits, and being a habitual felon. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized the commitment to combating gun violence and dismantling violent gangs in North Carolina. “We’re meeting gun violence head on, working side by side with local law enforcement,” said Easley.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuting the case. The sentencing announcement was made by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. For further information and related court documents, visit the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-CR-16-FL.