A federal judge has sentenced a Bolton man to 252 months – 21 years – in prison.
Charles Elliot Brown, 30, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Wilmington to possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced June 28, according to a press release form the sheriff’s office.
Brown was first picked up by deputies on Nov. 1, 2021 in a vehicle stop. Brown was operating a car with fictitious plates. Deputies found two handguns in the glove compartment, including one reported stolen in Bladen County. He was charged with driving while license revoked, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Brown was released on a secured bond the same day, the release said.
Three month later, on Jan. 10, 2022, Brown was charged with failure to appear on the November charge, as well as four counts of sale and delivery of opiates and three of possession of opiates with the intent to sell and deliver. He was also charged with a probation violation, and turned over to the Department of Corrections.
Brown was in prison in Craven county when he was brought back to Columbus in August 2023, when he was served with the federal charges.
Columbus county has a full-time ATF Violent Crimes Task Force Officer who targets violent and repeat offenders, Sheriff Bill Rogers said in the press release.
“This collaboration ensures that the most severe cases are considered for federal prosecution, which often results in harsher sentences compared to state charges,” Rogers said.
