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Date: 02-29-2024
Case Style:
Case Number: 4:23-cr-00037
Judge:
Court: The United States Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (Wake County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Raleigh
Defendant's Attorney:
Description:
Isaiah Emmanuelle Gibbs, 25, of New Bern was sentenced to 204 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Gibbs was arrested after threatening to retaliate for the shooting of a young child in July of 2023. Gibbs pled guilty to the charges on September 25, 2023.
“Given this defendant’s previous criminal history, and pending state charges for firearm and drug violations, federal agents worked quickly to take him into custody after learning of credible threats to commit a shooting,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Those who are engaging in gun violence will be held accountable and brought to justice.”
“The senseless murder of a 19-month-old reminds us that gun violence is indiscriminate. The New Bern Police Department and our community greatly value the relationship we have built with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, his team and all the other law enforcement professionals have shown a commitment to a common goal to make our community safe.”
“Arresting and prosecuting violent criminals who illegally use firearms is a priority of the Craven County Sheriff's Office,” said Sheriff Chip Hughes. “We appreciate the cooperation and work of ATF agents and the U.S. Attorney's Office in removing this dangerous criminal from our community. We will continue to work closely with our federal law enforcement partners to identify, arrest and prosecute violent felons.”
According to court records and other evidence presented in court, Gibbs was found with guns on five occasions between September 7, 2021, and March 11, 2023, by law enforcement officers from the New Bern and Emerald Isle Police Department’s and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office. Gibbs was federally indicted for an October 4, 2022, incident where the Craven County Sheriff’s office completed a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Gibbs and others. A backpack carried by Gibbs contained a loaded 9mm handgun and multiple rounds of 9mm ammunition. A search of the vehicle located a stolen, loaded 9mm handgun with a large capacity magazine underneath Gibbs’ seat.
On July 4, 2023, a vehicle was shot at in New Bern, and an adult male and his 19-month-old daughter were struck. The child succumbed to her injuries two days later. Gibbs was identified on scene immediately after the shooting. Shortly after the shooting, law enforcement learned that Gibbs intended to retaliate for the shooting. Due to the credible threat of violence combined with Gibbs’ history of violence, a federal complaint was filed, and Gibbs was arrested by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents on July 7, 2023, and has remained in detention since that arrest. During an interview with agents following his arrest, Gibbs admitted that he had been in possession of a firearm and ammunition during the October 2022 traffic stop.
Gibbs was previously convicted of three common law robberies in 2020 making him an Armed Career Criminal subject to enhanced penalties for possessing a firearm or ammunition, including a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence of incarceration. State charges for five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon, second degree kidnapping, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule II-controlled substance, and two counts of resisting a public officer remain pending.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The New Bern and Emerald Isle Police Departments, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuted the cases.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-00037-M-BM-1.
Outcome:
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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