North Charlotte Today

Ashanti Joyner Jackson, 26, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon. The announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) joined U.S. Attorney King in making the announcement.

According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on July 2, 2022, CMPD officers observed a vehicle reported stolen driving into a Quick Trip gas station in Charlotte. CMPD officers apprehended Jackson as he was walking out of the store. Upon approaching the parked vehicle, officers observed a firearm on the driver seat in plain view. A search revealed that the firearm was a loaded semi-automatic pistol with one round in the chamber and a magazine containing 12 rounds. Officers also found several baggies containing narcotics and a digital scale.

During their investigation, law enforcement determined that Jackson has prior convictions for Common Law Robbery, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. Consequently, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On April 12, 2023, Jackson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He remains in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation into this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Kenney and Regina Pack prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy based on fostering community trust and legitimacy; supporting community-based violence prevention organizations; setting focused enforcement priorities; and measuring results.