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An Elizabeth City man was sentenced January 9, 2023 to 120 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina. Jonathan Jermaine Peek, 33, pleaded guilty to the charge on May 2, 2023.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to multiple breaking and entering calls at residences in Elizabeth City between August and October of 2019.

“Checks from a stolen check book from the first burglary totaling more than $1,000 had been written to Peek’s girlfriend at the time,” stated the release. “Following the second burglary, witnesses told PCSO that they observed a man, meeting the description of Peek near the home along with a dark SUV parked in front of the house at the time of the burglary. In the second burglary, six firearms, including at least three revolvers, and five brown holsters were taken from an unlocked gun safe in the home. The third burglary was interrupted when the home’s resident returned home to find an unfamiliar dark Honda CRV parked in the yard, and called his son, who arrived with two coworkers, to investigate. The son entered the home and saw a burglar, later identified as Peek, in the home. Following a scuffle, Peek fled in the Honda CRV. Peek was followed by the son and his two coworkers until members of PCSO intercepted and took over pursuit.”

According to the release, Peek did not stop for law enforcement and continued to flee through Elizabeth City at speeds exceeding 85 miles per hour. “He eventually lost control and crashed through a brick wall at the edge of Elizabeth City State University campus, where he was taken into custody,” the release continued. “A search of Peek recovered cash that was identified as the same amount missing from the third burglary. Investigators also determined that the Honda CRV, driven by Peek, was registered to his girlfriend at the time.”

Investigators interviewed Peek’s girlfriend on October 15, 2019 regarding charges relating to the robberies. “She stated that Peek had brought her a checkbook and had taken the money from checks that she had cashed,” stated the release. “She also indicated that Peek had shown up at her house with revolvers on the date of the second burglary. He handed her a case to take inside, and she saw four or five revolvers when she looked inside. She had also seen him put brown holsters into the garbage.”

Peek’s federal conviction follows six prior felony convictions in state court. “Notably, Peek committed the above offense while still on post-release supervision after having served a multi-year sentence for felony first degree burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon. His earlier felonies include drug offenses, possession of a stolen firearm, and common law robbery,” the release continued.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted.

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