An Asheboro man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to a firearm charge, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Randall S. Galyon of the Middle District of North Carolina. Musin Shaborr Roberts, aged 22, received a sentence of 108 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release from Senior United States District Judge Loretta C. Biggs in Winston-Salem.
The case stems from an incident on June 30, 2023, when a Greensboro Police Department officer encountered individuals around a car at a Greensboro Housing Authority property. Due to concerns about recent violent crimes and trespassing in the area, the officer requested identification from those present. Roberts initially identified himself as "Justin Jones," but was later correctly identified and found to have active arrest warrants. During his arrest, officers discovered a round of 9mm ammunition in his possession.
The outstanding warrant related to an earlier incident on June 24, 2023, where Roberts and others allegedly opened fire at a party in Asheboro, injuring four men. The court described this event as “a planned, coordinated, cold-blooded attack.” Charges related to this incident are still pending in Randolph County.
Roberts had previously been convicted of felony possession of a stolen firearm in Randolph County in 2022 and was serving a suspended sentence exceeding one year at the time of his arrest. Consequently, he was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On June 5, 2024, Roberts pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of ammunition under U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and § 924(a)(8).
The investigation involved the Asheboro Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Courtney prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.