A Pitt County man has been sentenced to 107 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Kenneth Charles Kinard, aged 35, pleaded guilty to the charge on September 30, 2024.
"North Carolina’s State Troopers are some of the best trained law enforcement personnel in the nation," stated U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. "They make split second decisions that save lives – keeping our families safe on the highways, rescuing stranded motorists, and recovering victims of human trafficking. Their jobs are dangerous enough as it is. When anyone draws, levels, or fires a gun at law enforcement, we’ll take swift action to hold felons accountable."
The incident began when North Carolina State Highway Patrol attempted to stop Kinard for speeding at 90 mph in a 70-mph zone on I-587 in Pitt County. Kinard refused to stop and led officers on a high-speed chase that ended in Farmville. After stopping his car abruptly and fleeing on foot, he was seen carrying a handgun by a pursuing trooper. During the pursuit, Kinard brandished the firearm at the trooper who ordered him multiple times to drop it. When Kinard did not comply, the trooper discharged his weapon, striking Kinard in the leg and causing him to fall and drop his Ruger 9mm handgun.
"This case highlights the ever-present dangers our troopers face as they go about their mission to protect the people of North Carolina," said Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., Commander of the State Highway Patrol. "I am so very thankful that our members' training and quick thinking led to a positive outcome that day and the great work by our partners at the Department of Justice in the months since have brought about a conviction and this sentencing."
Kinard had previous convictions for multiple counts of grand larceny and a felony-controlled substance violation in Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., announced the sentencing after it was handed down by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF), Pitt County Sheriff’s Office; Greenville Police Department; North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; and North Carolina State Highway Patrol were involved in investigating this case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Lori Warlick prosecuted it.