Guilford County Residents Indicted For Federal Gun, Drug Violations

Violent Repeat Offenders in High Point, North Carolina, Charged

Greensboro, N.C. – Eight indictments returned by the grand jury at the end of May are the most recent cases resulting from a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement intended to reduce repeat violent and gun-related crime in High Point, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

On May 28, 2019, the grand jury returned indictments charging the eight defendants, each of whom was previously convicted of at least one serious crime, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. One defendant was also charged with possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute.

The defendants and charges are as follows:

David Christopher STALLINGS, age 33, of High Point, NC, was charged with violations of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 6, 2018, STALLINGS, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Titan .25 caliber handgun and an AM-15 .223 caliber rifle. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, STALLINGS faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment. If convicted of felon in possession of a firearm, STALLINGS may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment. Sentencing for the above offenses may also include a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Jerry DOUGLAS, Jr., age 33, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on August 27, 2018, DOUGLAS, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed Israeli Military Industries (IMI) ammunition. If convicted, DOUGLAS may be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Crandall Ortais INGRAM, age 26, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on October 17, 2018, INGRAM, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Glock .40 caliber handgun. If convicted, INGRAM may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Edwin Marquis BATES, age 30, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on December 29, 2018, BATES, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed an H.S. Products .40 caliber handgun. If convicted, BATES may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Eddie Bernard BRATTON, age 39, of Greensboro, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g) (1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on January 18, 2019, BRATTON, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed an Astra .25 caliber handgun. If convicted, BRATTON may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Zytae Tyshawne BASKINS, age 24, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 19, 2019, BASKINS, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Taurus International 9mm handgun. If convicted, BASKINS may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Nicholas Jermaine ROBINSON, age 24, of Greensboro, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 19, 2019, ROBINSON, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. If convicted, ROBINSON may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

Rodney Demarius HINES, age 26, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 23, 2019, HINES, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Jimenez Arms .380 caliber handgun. If convicted, HINES may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The cases indicted this month were investigated by the High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Community Corrections, Thomasville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of North Carolina, and a Special Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the office of Randolph County District Attorney Andrew Gregson.