Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

STATESVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell handed down the statutory maximum prison sentence of 10 years to Antonio Carnell White, for illegally possessing multiple firearms, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. White, 29, of Hickory, N.C., was also ordered to serve two years under court supervision after he is released from prison.

Vincent C. Pallozzi, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Thurman Whisnant of the Hickory Police Department join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, on August 2, 2018, officers with the Hickory Police Department executed a search warrant at White’s residence and a vehicle on the premises. Law enforcement recovered from the vehicle a stolen handgun and multiple narcotics, including cocaine, methamphetamine and XANAX pills. An additional 18 firearms were found inside the residence. White previously admitted to possessing more than eight but less than 24 firearms. White has multiple prior felony convictions and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

"Guns do not belong in the hands of felons," said U.S. Attorney Murray. "Working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will identify for federal prosecution violent criminals and armed felons who continue to break the law, and threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods."

"ATF is proud to have been a part of a collaborative effort to remove this repeat offender from our streets," said Special Agent in Charge Pallozzi. "Keeping firearms out of the hands of felons is a priority and plays a big part in addressing area gun violence and keeping our communities safe."

"The Hickory Police Department appreciates the continued partnership with the ATF and with U. S. Attorney Andrew Murray’s office. This case is a great example of our combined commitment to ensure that violent offenders are held accountable for their actions and kept out of our community," said Chief Whisnant.

White pleaded guilty on June 20, 2019, to possession of a firearm by a felon. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the ATF and the Hickory Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

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