Shymetrus Datre Steele, age 27, of Mount Gilead, North Carolina, was sentenced on July 20 to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Steele pleaded guilty to the charges on April 7.
According to court records, Steele was on probation for attempted trafficking cocaine and possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance. During a probation visit, Steele ran from North Carolina Probation and Parole Officers while holding narcotics and a handgun.
Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, made the announcement regarding the sentencing. The investigation involved Probation and Parole with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, the Troy Police Department, the Mount Gilead Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Courtney prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is described as “the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe.” The program is coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each federal district and is tailored to address specific violent crime challenges within communities.
The initiative emphasizes “rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through prosecution of serious offenses.” Project Safe Neighborhoods serves as part of Operation Take Back America.