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A federal jury convicted Ikeviaun Quamonn Johnson, 22, of Greenville, on January 10, 2023 on firearm charges and for assaulting two federal agents with a deadly weapon, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina.

“We stand with the brave men and women of law enforcement, and their families, who make great sacrifices every day to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley. “We will continue to prioritize prosecuting violent offenders, especially those who threaten the lives of law enforcement. This defendant fired eight rounds at federal officers and is now facing up to three decades in federal prison.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on October 16, 2020, an FBI special agent and Greenville police officer deputized and sworn as a federal task force officer were conducting surveillance on suspected high-ranking gang members in a residential area of Greenville.

“An unidentified person outside of the trailer under surveillance held up his cell phone, likely taking a video of the agents,” stated the release. “As the agents switched locations after having been detected, a black Ford Explorer began following them aggressively. The defendant fired eight rounds from his Glock 19 at the agents from the rear left window of the Explorer.”

According to witness testimony, the defendant thought that the agents’ unmarked car was that of a rival gang member, which led him to open fire in broad daylight without knowing for sure who was in the car.

“Pitt County Sheriff’s Office detectives recovered eight shell casings, a distinctive Glock 19 with an extended magazine, and Johnson’s cell phone which contained photos of Johnson posing with the same distinctive firearm,” stated the release. “Eyewitnesses also identified Johnson as the shooter.”

The defendant was convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, which carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence, and assault on federal officers with a deadly weapon, for which the defendant faces up to an additional 20 years in prison. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

Easley made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Police Department and the FBI are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradford Knott and David G. Beraka are prosecuting.

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