Evergreen Reporter

A Wilmington man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after firing a sawed-off rifle at another person near a school and leading officers on a high-speed chase. On May 22, 2024, Jahmez Tavaughn Jackson pled guilty to the charge.

“This Crip gang member was a one-man crime spree, firing shots towards a Wilmington charter school and leading police on a high-speed chase topping 118 miles per hour,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The new Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is built for cases just like this and got this felon 15 years in federal prison. We’re using the new law to prosecute violent gangs and shooters across North Carolina, especially those endangering our kids. Our law enforcement efforts help ensure kids can start the school year ready to hit the books, not dodge bullets.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Jackson, 24, fired a 9mm sawed-off rifle multiple times at another individual. The shooting occurred during the day on February 22, 2023, at the intersection of 6th Street and Campbell Street in Wilmington, just over 200 feet away from Roger Bacon Douglas Academy, a K-5 charter school where children were present. No one was injured during the shooting, though a vehicle parked at the school was struck by one of the bullets. Four additional shell casings were found on scene.

Officers located Jackson driving a vehicle in Pender County shortly thereafter and attempted a traffic stop. Jackson fled from law enforcement officers at high rates of speed—as fast as 118 mph—and tossed the gun out of the car window. Eventually, Jackson lost control and crashed the vehicle into a median. A search of the vehicle yielded marijuana and oxycodone along with drug paraphernalia. Jackson’s phone contained evidence of his involvement in the drug trade along with photos in which he posed with firearms, including the sawed-off rifle used in the shooting.

Jackson has been convicted of several felony offenses in the past, including assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, felon in possession of a firearm, attempted first-degree burglary and attempted second-degree kidnapping. He was on state probation and wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the federal offense.

“I am glad to see that the man responsible for these dangerous crimes will be heading to prison for a very long time,” said Chief Donny Williams. “There is no place for gun violence in the City of Wilmington. The WPD is doing our part to combat that day-in and day-out. We are thankful that no one was struck by gunfire so close to one of our local schools."

Williams added: "As a felon, the man convicted in this case should have never had a firearm in his possession. Through his involvement with narcotics and violent gun crimes, he has clearly shown that he is not ready to be out on the streets... I want to thank our women and men for their hard work on this case... We also appreciate our partner law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorney Michael Easley who helped us ensure a strong conviction.”

Michael Easley made this announcement following sentencing by U.S District Judge James C. Dever III.

The Wilmington Police Department investigated with assistance from ATF (Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives), New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office & Pender County Sheriff’s Office Special Assistant U.S Attorney William Van Trigt & Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E Nokes prosecuted case.

Related court documents can be found via PACER under Case No.:7:23-CR-112-D-RN or through U.S District Court Eastern District NC website.