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Saturday, February 14, 2009 3:00 AM Man sentenced for felony firearm possession By Gina Childress | Times Staff Writer A 39-year-old Black Creek man was sentenced in federal court in Raleigh Tuesday for possession of a firearm by a felon. According to a press release issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, Joseph Ray Ruffin with a last known address of 107 Charles St., was arrested Oct. 4, 2007, by Wilson Police following a traffic stop. A search of Ruffin's vehicle turned up a loaded, Taurus .38 caliber revolver. On Nov. 12, 2008, Ruffin pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and structuring a transaction to avoid the reporting requirement. He received 7 1/2 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. The Wilson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. According to U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding, this arrest and conviction is just another example of the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that encourages federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target repeat gun crime offenders. "That program is sending a message to convicted felons: Put the guns down," Holding said. According to N.C. Department of Corrections' records, Ruffin has been previously convicted of driving while license revoked, operating a vehicle without a license, speeding from police, reckless driving, communicating threats, resisting an officer, second-degree trespassing, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a controlled substance, hit and run, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, assault inflicting serious injury, misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor breaking and entering and larceny. gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821 |
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Hoodwinked said...
Wow, 15 CONVICTIONS! How many times was he charged I wonder???? Too bad our local courts couldn't handle this fellow. I'm really glad the Federal Government's court system worked in this case.
Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Wow, 15 CONVICTIONS! How many times was he charged I wonder???? Too bad our local courts couldn't handle this fellow. I'm really glad the Federal Government's court system worked in this case.
Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM
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