A Roanoke Rapids man, Shelvy Travon Edwards, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. Edwards was found with a stolen AR-15 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition. He pled guilty to the charges on August 21, 2024.
The incident occurred on September 12, 2023, when Halifax County Sheriff's Deputies and Roanoke Rapids Police Officers acted on a community tip that Edwards was armed in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Law enforcement was already seeking Edwards due to an outstanding arrest warrant. Upon arrival, officers observed Edwards moving a long object towards the center console of his vehicle before fleeing on foot. He left the car door open and was quickly apprehended by two officers with assistance from a K-9 officer. Meanwhile, other officers secured the scene and identified the object as a fully loaded AR-15 rifle. A serial number check confirmed it was stolen.
Edwards' prior felony convictions in North Carolina and Virginia prohibit him from legally possessing firearms. His criminal record includes conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in North Carolina and unlawful wounding in Virginia.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced the sentencing following Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II's decision. The case was investigated by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart.
Further court documents and information are available through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER under Case No. 4:24-CR-15-M-RN.
