Convicted Felon Sentenced For Illegal Possession of A Firearm (DOJ)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Darius DeShawn Countee, 48, of Browns Summit, N.C. was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Curtis Cheeks, III, of the High Point Police Department, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today's announcement.

According filed court documents and the sentencing hearing, Countee was previously convicted in North Carolina of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and Second Degree Murder. As a result, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

"Countee is the type of repeat violent offender federal firearms laws are designed to stop," said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. "Despite prior convictions for serious violent crimes, Countee got hold of illegal guns and used them, putting lives at risk. Time and again Countee has shown reckless disregard for the law and now he will face federal consequences."

"Repeat offenders have a detrimental effect on the public safety of our communities," said Special Agent in Charge Jones. "ATF is proud to join our law enforcement partners in all efforts to identify and hold accountable those who disregard our laws and threaten our safety."

Court documents show that on July 8, 2023, law enforcement responded to an altercation at a QuickTrip convenience store in Charlotte. A review of the store's surveillance video showed Countee entering the convenience store where an individual was arguing with one of Countee's associates. Countee then ran to a vehicle parked at a gas pump and retrieved a rifle. He then confronted the individual outside the store and stole his firearm.

The individual returned to his vehicle and attempted to flee but was pursued by Countee and his associates in two vehicles. Over the course of the pursuit, numerous shots were fired at the victim's vehicle. Countee later returned to the convenience store and was detained by law enforcement. Law enforcement found inside the vehicle an American Tactical 5.56 caliber AR-type weapon with a high-capacity magazine, a black Taurus .40 caliber handgun, and a black Springfield .45 caliber handgun, which was stolen from the individual involved in the altercation.

Court documents show that Countee was later charged in the Middle District of North Carolina for illegal firearm possession in connection with a separate investigation. Countee pleaded guilty to that charge, and the case was transferred to the Western District of North Carolina. The 70-month sentence resolves both federal cases pending against Countee.

Countee is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The ATF and the High Point Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.