A Burlington man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for drug and firearm offenses. The sentence was handed down in Winston-Salem by Senior United States District Judge Loretta C. Biggs. The announcement came from United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.
Fredrick Dontae Slade, aged 50, received a 108-month imprisonment sentence followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, Slade was ordered to forfeit a Glock-type privately made pistol and 9mm ammunition.
Court records reveal that on March 23, 2022, deputies from the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office approached Slade at a local business after observing him driving with a suspended license and completing a suspected drug delivery. Slade refused to exit his vehicle when instructed by officers and attempted to flee, dragging an officer approximately 35 feet before stopping. A search revealed over eight grams of cocaine base and a tan polymer "ghost gun," which is more challenging for law enforcement to trace due to its design similarity to a Glock pistol. The weapon was loaded with thirteen rounds in a drum magazine and equipped with a "Glock switch" enabling automatic fire.
Slade pleaded guilty on June 5, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base under federal law and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The investigation involved the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Prosecution was handled by MDNC Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey A. Freeman along with former Assistant United States Attorney Jack M. Alsup.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. In May 2021, the Department initiated an enhanced strategy focusing on building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes.