Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW BERN, N.C. – Trevonta Lynch, 34, a convicted felon and armed career criminal, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a traffic stop in which he reached for a firearm in front of law enforcement.
“Trevonta Lynch is a violent repeat offender who pulled a loaded gun on law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “That dangerous act could have cost lives – now it’s costing him 15 years of freedom. Let this be a warning: if you threaten our officers or our communities, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and you will spend years in federal prison where you can’t hurt anyone again.”
“This case is not about marijuana. It’s about a violent career criminal with a history of violent felonies and disregard for the law,” said Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis. “Thanks to our partnership with federal law enforcement, we removed this dangerous individual from the streets of Halifax County and into federal prison where he belongs. I have said repeatedly – we are not playing. We will use every legal resource to protect our citizens and will not allow criminals to disrupt our neighborhoods.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on October 2, 2023, Halifax County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was driving without its headlights after dark. When approached, Lynch produced a small baggie of marijuana and told deputies that was the only thing he had on him. During the encounter, Lynch continued to reach around the rear floorboard of the car. Deputies told him to stop, and after several requests for Lynch to tell Deputies what he was reaching for, Lynch admitted that he was reaching for a firearm. Deputies searched the vehicle and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol with a large capacity magazine, 83 grams of marijuana, and various paraphernalia consistent with trafficking marijuana.
Lynch, who was on supervised probation at the time of the stop, has been convicted of 12 instances of breaking and entering in North Carolina, which are violent felonies. As Lynch has committed three or more violent felonies before his possession of the firearm on October 2, 2023, he is subject to enhanced federal penalties, including a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-CR-66-FL.