An Elizabeth City man with previous felony convictions was sentenced Wednesday to 180 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in June to being in possession of a stolen firearm in Kill Devil Hills.
According to court documents, Deangelo Maurice Joyner, 46, was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Dare County in February 2020.
Deputies from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Kill Devil Hills Police Department, quickly located Joyner driving the truck involved in the accident and conducted a traffic stop.
After deputies saw an open container of alcohol and suspected drug paraphernalia on the passenger seat of the truck, Joyner was searched and found with a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine loaded with ammunition in his waistband that had been reported stolen in Currituck County.
Federal prosecutors said Joyner has a number of prior violent felony convictions, making him an “armed career criminal” under federal law, including robbery by force, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, robbery, and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
He also has prior convictions for felony attempted grand larceny from the person, fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving and DUI.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office and the Kill Devil Hills Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case.