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Nahledge Vaughn, 20, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to an August 31 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court documents, evidence presented in court and other documents, on December 9, 2020, the Wilmington Police Department was utilizing enhanced patrols due to an increase in gang associated violence.

“Officers saw Vaughn who was a passenger in a car driven by another validated gang member. The driver did not have a valid license,” stated the release. “Law enforcement attempted to stop the car in the area of 5^th and Market Streets in Wilmington. Vaughn jumped out of the car and attempted to flee on foot.

“Vaughn ran by the New Hanover County Courthouse and threw a stolen loaded Glock handgun into the gated Judge’s parking lot,” the release continued. “He was arrested shortly after that. Courthouse Security exited the courthouse and searched the parking lot. They retrieved the firearm. The incident was captured on video.”

Vaughn had previously been validated as a gang member by the Wilmington Police Department, according to the release. Vaughn was on probation for possession of a stolen firearm at the time of his arrest in December and prohibited from possessing a gun.

“Vaughn was convicted of possessing a stolen handgun in July 2020,” stated the release. “The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, following a search of Vaughn’s bedroom, found a stolen handgun, a 50-round drum for a Glock handgun, a speed loader and a laser attachment for a handgun in February 2020.”

G. Norman Acker III, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Wilmington Police Department, Holly Ridge Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted.

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