U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
Desmond Antonio Hines, known as "Head," has been sentenced to 196 months in federal prison following his conviction by a jury for illegal firearm possession. The 35-year-old was also charged with drug offenses and deemed a career offender due to prior convictions involving drug trafficking and assault, including a previous federal drug conviction.
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. stated, "Neighbors called 911 when they saw Hines ditch his loaded Glock .40 in a patch of the azaleas as he tried to dodge police. Ballistics traced the gun to a recent shootout that left a popular area rapper dead." Easley emphasized the impact of community cooperation in curbing violence: "Hines was just a small part of the escalating patterns of crime and violence claiming far too many lives. But neighbors have had enough. And when neighbors start talking, the shooting starts stopping."
The case against Hines stemmed from an incident on November 7, 2020, when Wilmington Police stopped him for traffic violations. Officers detected marijuana odor upon approaching his vehicle and found drugs during their search after Hines attempted to flee but was subdued by police. A later search at the station revealed additional narcotics.
On March 31, 2022, detectives sought to arrest Hines on federal charges related to this incident. Surveillance efforts led officers to recover a semi-automatic Glock .40 caliber handgun matching ballistics evidence from an earlier shooting incident where it was used.
The sentencing announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., following proceedings by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The investigation involved collaboration between the Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This conviction is part of the Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP), which aims to address violent crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement.
Court documents can be accessed via the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER under Case No.7:22-cr-36-M.
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