NEW BERN, N.C. - A federal judge sentenced Anthony Travis Slaughter, age 31, to almost 20 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him of the crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a gun by a felon, and possession of a gun while selling drugs.

"Drug dealers are a scourge upon our community," said US Attorney Ellis Boyle. "When they use guns, it makes them even more dangerous. Gun toting drug dealers put the entire community including our children and grandparents at risk, and we will aggressively pursue those Big Shark Bad Boys like Slaughter who prioritize their own greed over our families' safety."

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the Wilmington Police Department pulled Slaughter over on Princess Place Drive in Wilmington after observing a traffic infraction. A police K9 officer alerted during the stop and WPD found two pounds of marijuana, packaging materials, and a digital scale in the car. WPD also found a loaded gun under the driver's seat. Slaughter, a career criminal with seven state felony convictions left free to roam the streets of Wilmington, could not legally possess that loaded gun because he is a convicted felon. Slaughter's prior felony convictions include a violent common law robbery and selling heroin.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Loeser and Jake Pugh prosecuted the case. The WPD and the ATF investigated the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North CarolinaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 7:23-CR-51-FL.