Anthony Travis Slaughter was convicted by a federal jury on charges of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm as a felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The verdict was reached on Wednesday in a trial held in New Bern, North Carolina. Slaughter, 30, could face a minimum of five years to a maximum of life imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for August 2025.
The conviction follows a traffic stop conducted by the Wilmington Police Department on Princess Place Drive in Wilmington. During the stop, a police K9 unit alerted officers to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, leading to the discovery of approximately two pounds of marijuana, along with packaging materials and a digital scale. A loaded firearm was also found under the driver's seat.
Slaughter's ability to possess a firearm was restricted due to seven previous state felony convictions related to drug and violent crimes, including charges of common law robbery and multiple instances of selling heroin.
The announcement of the conviction was made by Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, following the acceptance of the verdict by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Wilmington Police Department, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles E. Loeser and Jake D. Pugh.
Further information on the case can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina's website or via PACER using Case No. 7:23-CR-51.