South Raleigh News

A Raleigh resident has been sentenced to eight years in prison following an incident involving a "ghost gun" and evading law enforcement. On May 22, 2024, Treyvion Maleke Sutton entered a guilty plea for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Court documents revealed that on December 8, 2023, Sutton, aged 20, fled from Raleigh police officers during an attempted traffic stop. As he escaped on foot, he discarded a loaded "ghost gun," which was unserialized and equipped with an extended magazine. Due to previous felony convictions including common law robbery and assault charges, Sutton was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The term "ghost gun" refers to privately made firearms lacking serial numbers, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace when used in crimes. These weapons can be crafted from scratch or assembled using weapon parts kits.

Sutton's conviction stems from the Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative aimed at addressing key factors contributing to violent crime through coordinated efforts among local, state, and federal agencies.

U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr., representing the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced the sentence following its issuance by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Raleigh Police Department conducted the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Nokes handled prosecution duties.

For further details on related court proceedings and information, interested parties can refer to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina's website or PACER by searching Case No. 5:24-CR-24-D-RN.