Defendant Sentenced to 20 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

Raleigh, N.C. – Shoun Lamelle Wright Jr., 28, a resident of Sumter, South Carolina, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, the N.C. State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Wright on July 21, 2021. Wright initially pulled over and then fled as the trooper approached his vehicle, driving up to 135 miles per hour.

Law enforcement made a successful stop when the vehicle entered Jacksonville. Once stopped, Wright dropped a bag containing 26 grams of crack out of the driver’s door, and a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of marijuana.

On July 29, 2021, officers with the Jacksonville Police Department (JPD) responded to a call from a security guard at the Platinum Gentlemen’s Club who saw an armed individual bagging narcotics in the establishment’s parking lot.

The security guard stated that the individual, later identified as Wright, had pointed a pistol at him as he approached the vehicle. Later that day, a JPD officer identified the vehicle driven by Wright parked at a residence known to law enforcement due to previous narcotics and violent crime investigations.

After Wright left the residence, the JPD officer initiated a traffic stop on his vehicle. Officers returned to the residence and conducted a search where they seized a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, a 27-round magazine, a second 9mm pistol, and a loaded .380 caliber pistol. They also seized nearly 2,000 grams of marijuana, more than 55 grams of crack, more than eight grams of cocaine, and over $7,000 in cash.

Wright claimed ownership of the drugs and guns found at the residence. As a previously convicted felon, Wright cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

“This armed drug runner tried to flee from state troopers at 135 miles per hour before ditching his dope out the driver’s side door,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “Running from law enforcement never works, and puts innocent motorists at risk. Many thanks to the NC Highway Patrol and Jacksonville Police for taking this dangerous felon off the streets.”

A U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced Wright to 240 months in prison. The NCSHP, the JPD, and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys assisted in the prosecution of the case.

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