A Shelby man identified as a Bloods gang member is headed back to federal prison after getting caught with a gun while on supervised release.
Christopher O'Brien Moore, 30, was sentenced Wednesday to 51 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Once he finishes that sentence, he will be on court supervision for another three years.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina, Moore pleaded guilty on November 26, 2025, to possession of a firearm by a felon and is currently in federal custody awaiting transfer to the Bureau of Prisons. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced the sentence and credited the ATF’s Charlotte Field Division and the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office with handling the investigation.
Traffic Stop Led To Loaded Glock Seizure
Court records state that deputies tried to pull Moore over on June 6, 2024, after he picked up a person who had just fled from officers. Moore initially refused to stop, then pulled over after a short pursuit.
When deputies searched the vehicle, they found a Glock Model 22 .40 caliber pistol with a loaded extended magazine under the driver’s side floormat. They also recovered a hidden .40 caliber magazine with 10 rounds on Moore’s person, along with more ammunition in the vehicle door, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office WDNC.
Prior RICO Case Came Back To Haunt Him
Moore was already on the federal radar. He was convicted in January 2019 of RICO conspiracy in the Western District of North Carolina and was serving a term of supervised release when deputies found the gun and ammunition.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina said Moore admitted in his November 2025 guilty plea that he possessed the firearm as a convicted felon and was sentenced on Wednesday for that offense.
What Federal Law Says About Felons And Firearms
Federal law makes it illegal for anyone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm. That prohibition is spelled out in 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which carries potential prison time, fines, and additional supervised release penalties, as summarized by Cornell Law School.
Prosecutors said the 51 month sentence reflects the serious risk they see when people who are banned from owning guns manage to get their hands on them anyway.
