A federal jury convicted Quillan Inman, 33, this week on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Inman is a previous felon and validated gang member from Lumberton.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, members of the narcotics unit with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office were conducting surveillance near Perritt’s Grocery in Lumberton on Nov. 14, 2020 when they saw a vehicle cross the center line. Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled for a short time and surpassed 90 mph during the chase.
Ultimately the vehicle stopped, and the driver fled. Inman was a passenger in the vehicle and a deputy ordered him to step out of the vehicle when he saw Inman making a stuffing motion towards the front of his hooded sweatshirt. As Inman stepped out of the vehicle, the deputy saw the handle of a handgun sticking out of the pocket of the hoodie.
He immediately cuffed Inman, who attempted to reach for the gun as the deputy patted him down. The deputy also recovered suspected cocaine and suboxone strips. A search of the vehicle revealed three more firearms.
Inman faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced. He was previously convicted in N.C. state court of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of second-degree kidnapping. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder in 2019, but the charges were later dismissed.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the verdict. The FBI and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Rhoades, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Warlick and Phil Aubart prosecuted the case.
