A Charlotte man who authorities say mixed gunfire, domestic violence and a dangerously close call with a toddler is now headed to federal prison for more than six years.
Daquan Devonte Jeter, 34, of Charlotte, was sentenced Tuesday to 78 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing a sawed-off shotgun. Prosecutors say the case traces back to a March 2025 incident in which shots were fired and a young child was put at risk, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to that office, officers responding to a 911 call on March 23, 2025, found a woman with visible injuries and recovered shotgun shells at the scene. Roughly an hour later, Mint Hill officers located Jeter unconscious behind the wheel of a running SUV, with a toddler in the back seat and a sawed-off shotgun in his hands. In September 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, the office said, citing federal court records.
“This defendant’s violent conduct endangered multiple victims, including a young child,” U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said in the office’s release. “Those who illegally possess firearms and use them to terrorize others should expect to face significant federal prison time,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office noted.
Local coverage at the time captured how tense the situation was for first responders. WSOC-TV reported that the 911 call originated near Winchelsea Drive in southeast Charlotte and that Mint Hill officers found Jeter holding a shotgun with a young child inside the vehicle. The station also obtained court documents describing the early stages of the investigation, according to WSOC.
Federal charges and possible penalties
Jeter’s conviction falls under federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which prohibits certain felons from possessing firearms and can carry up to 10 years in prison for a violating defendant. Shortened or sawed-off shotguns are also regulated under the National Firearms Act and draw scrutiny from federal firearms regulators. For statutory details, see Cornell Law School and the ATF.
Jeter remains in federal custody and will be transferred to a Bureau of Prisons facility once one is designated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley handled the prosecution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
