Marcus Terrell Burney, 44, has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II issued the sentence following Burney’s guilty plea. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this is his third federal conviction.
A traffic stop for expired registration led Sampson County Sheriff’s deputies to discover a loaded S7W M&P .40-caliber firearm, an open bottle of tequila, digital scales with powder residue, and marijuana residue in Burney’s vehicle during a probable cause search following a K-9 alert for narcotics. At the time of the stop, Burney’s blood alcohol content was measured at 0.13.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle noted that avoiding illegal possession of firearms and involvement in drug activity can prevent federal criminal charges and lengthy prison sentences, according to the DOJ announcement.
Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton praised the deputies involved, noting that their efforts resulted in a firearm being removed from the streets. He highlighted the role of proactive policing and traffic enforcement in keeping dangerous weapons off the roads and supporting public safety, according to the DOJ announcement.
Burney previously faced federal convictions in 2004 for possession with intent to sell marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, and in 2012 for conspiracy to possess with intent to sell crack cocaine and hydrocodone. The recent sentencing comes while he was under federal supervised release. The investigation, conducted by the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, highlights ongoing efforts to address repeat offenders in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
