U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. | U.S. Department of Justice
A Pitt County man, Kenneth Charles Kinard, has been sentenced to 107 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Kinard, aged 35, pled guilty to the charge on September 30, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. praised the efforts of North Carolina's State Troopers, stating that they are "some of the best trained law enforcement personnel in the nation." He emphasized the importance of swift action when dealing with individuals who threaten law enforcement with firearms.
Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., Commander of the State Highway Patrol, expressed gratitude for the training and quick thinking of his troopers which led to a successful resolution. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts with the Department of Justice that resulted in Kinard's conviction and sentencing.
Court documents revealed that Kinard was involved in a high-speed chase after refusing to stop for driving at 90 mph in a 70-mph zone on I-587 in Pitt County. The chase concluded in Farmville when Kinard stopped abruptly and fled on foot while carrying a handgun. During his escape attempt, he brandished the firearm at a pursuing trooper who ordered him to drop it multiple times. When Kinard refused, the trooper discharged his weapon, injuring Kinard's leg and causing him to drop his Ruger 9mm handgun.
Kinard has prior convictions for grand larceny and a felony-controlled substance violation in Virginia.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., following sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Lori Warlick prosecuted the case.
