Investigations in Stanly County Result in Three Men Sentenced for Federal Firearms and Drug Offenses

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Two Albemarle residents and a Mount Gilead resident were all sentenced within the past two weeks by United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. following investigations conducted by law enforcement in Albemarle, North Carolina, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

WILLIAM WEBSTER CAGLE, 27, a resident of Albemarle, pled guilty on January 9, 2020, to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. On May 18, 2020, CAGLE was sentenced by Judge Osteen to 28 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, including 1 year of home detention.

KAUNDRE TYREE CHARLES MCKILLIAN, 26, a resident of Albemarle, pled guilty on January 9, 2020, to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. On May 26, 2020, MCKILLIAN was sentenced by Judge Osteen to 44 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, including 90 days with a curfew and location monitoring.

On March 27, 2019, law enforcement officers with the Stanly County Narcotic Task Force met and executed a search warrant at CAGLE’s residence on Leonard Avenue in Albemarle, North Carolina. CAGLE and MCKILLIAN were located within the home during the search and each was found in possession of a handgun. CAGLE possessed a Springfield Armory, model XD9, 9mm handgun, which had been reported stolen out of Denver, North Carolina, as well as approximately 10 grams of marijuana. MCKILLIAN also possessed a separate Springfield Armory, model XD9, 9mm handgun. Both CAGLE and MCKILLIAN had previously been convicted of felony offenses. CAGLE was convicted of Felony Possession of Cocaine in Stanly County Superior Court on June 9, 2016, and had also been convicted in Stanly County of Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana on August 3, 2009 and Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Ecstasy on September 13, 2010. MCKILLIAN was convicted of Felony Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Felony Common Law Robbery on July 18, 2012, and Felony Larceny on January 21, 2016, in Stanly County Superior Court.

RAKEEM JOHNTA’ BALDWIN, 23, a resident of Mount Gilead, pleaded guilty on January 9, 2020, to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. On May 28, 2020, BALDWIN was sentenced by Judge Osteen to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

On April 11, 2019, detectives with the Albemarle Police Department, using a confidential informant, conducted a “buy-bust” operation on BALDWIN for two ounces of methamphetamine (approximately 56.7 grams). Officers with the Stanly County Narcotics Task Force assisted by providing surveillance around an ABC Store in Albemarle, North Carolina where the drug transaction was to occur. BALDWIN arrived in a Nissan passenger car and was identified by the confidential informant. Officers closed in on BALDWIN and he attempted to run from the car. He was seen throwing a baggie containing approximately 56 grams of methamphetamine to the ground and was apprehended shortly after. In the Nissan, officers located a large bag containing approximately 475 grams of methamphetamine and digital scales. An iPhone and $1,281 in United States currency was also seized from BALDWIN. Laboratory analysis confirmed that BALDWIN possessed 515.32 grams of methamphetamine of approximately 99-100 percent purity.

These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Albemarle Police Department, and the Stanly County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig M. Principe for the Middle District of North Carolina.