Evergreen Reporter

Leopold Rob Finley, a 45-year-old resident of Candler, North Carolina, received a prison sentence of 48 months, with an additional three years of supervised release, for possessing ammunition in a "ghost gun." The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. At the time of the offense, Finley was on supervised release following a federal drug conviction.

The statement was supported by Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Michael Lamb of the Asheville Police Department (APD).

Court documents and proceedings reveal that Finley's vehicle was stopped by Asheville Police Department officers on December 20, 2022, for a traffic violation. During the vehicle search, officers found a "ghost gun" loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition. "A 'ghost gun' is an untraceable firearm with no serial number that is assembled by components purchased separately or as part of a kit." At the time of his arrest, Finley was under federal supervised release for previous drug offenses, including the distribution of heroin and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana.

Finley remains in federal custody and will eventually be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons once a facility is designated.

U.S. Attorney Ferguson expressed gratitude to the ATF and the Asheville Police Department for their investigation into the case.

The prosecution was managed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville.