Wilmington Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Weapon Offenses
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Carnell Roberts, age 37, of Wilmington, DE, pled guilty yesterday to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika accepted the plea.
According to court documents, on August 3, 2020, Safe Streets Task Force officers conducted a search of the defendant’s residence where they recovered over 50 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and $3,577 in cash. Following his release for the August 3 offense, Mr. Roberts was found in possession of another handgun, a loaded, 9MM semi-automatic.
Roberts faces a minimum mandatory five years in prison, and a maximum of 60 years in prison when sentenced on April 13, 2023. Judge Noreika will determine Roberts’ sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, including the mandatory minimum.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “All too often, when convicted felons choose to illegally possess firearms, this leads to violence in Wilmington and our surrounding communities. In this case, Mr. Roberts now faces federal prison. I wish to commend federal, state, and local law enforcement for their diligence in investigating this case.
“This arrest and plea, and the sentence that will follow, underscores our efforts to ensure harsh penalties for those who carry firearms illegally in our City,” said Wilmington Police Chief Robert J. Tracy. “We will remain steadfast in our efforts to address gun violence and firearm offenses as we continue to work to make Wilmington safer.”
“Felons who continue to participate in crime, showing no intent to change the path of their lives and no concern for the safety of their community, must be held accountable for their actions,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby. “We will continue to work along our partners in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure re-offenders like this are taken off the streets so they cannot pose a threat to law-abiding citizens anymore.”
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McTaggart is prosecuting the case. This case was investigated by Probation and Parole Operation Safe Streets, Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.
