Evergreen Reporter

Five individuals have been indicted on charges related to unlawful firearm possession in separate federal cases, as announced by Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Among these individuals, one faces additional charges tied to drug offenses and a gun crime connected to drug trafficking.

These indictments are part of an ongoing effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). The initiative aims to combat crime and reduce violence by removing illegal firearms from prohibited persons and convicted felons.

“Protecting communities across Western North Carolina is one of our highest priorities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron. “We will continue to enforce federal firearms laws and partner with law enforcement to remove illegal guns from our streets and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.”

The defendants charged include:

- Jonathan Glendale Denton, 41, from Charlotte: accused of possessing a firearm as a felon, intent to distribute cocaine base, and having a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

- Rex Allen Hawkins, 53, from Traphill: charged with possessing firearms as a felon after authorities seized a shotgun, rifle, and ammunition during a probation search.

- Mitchell Clydero Patterson, 37, from Spring Lake: indicted for possessing a firearm as a felon.

- Anthony Dion Tribble, 27, from Charlotte: facing charges for possession of a firearm by a felon.

- Timothy Demetrius Williams, 34, also from Charlotte: accused of possessing both a firearm as a felon and a stolen weapon.

It is important to note that these charges are allegations; the defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting these cases. Federal regulations prohibit certain individuals—such as convicted felons or those involved in drug trafficking—from owning firearms. The law also addresses issues like straw purchases where someone legally buys guns on behalf of those who cannot possess them legally.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) seeks to lower violent crime rates through cooperation between various levels of law enforcement alongside community partners ensuring safer neighborhoods across Western North Carolina.