Leland man pleads guilty to having gun 3 days after getting out of prison

WILMINGTON, NC (NEWS RELEASE) – United States Attorney George E.B. Holding
announced that in federal court today CHRISTOPHER HAROLD GOINS,
JR., 35, of Leland, North Carolina, pled guilty before Chief United
States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan to unlawful possession of
a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, in violation of
Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924, and
possession of a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United
States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2).

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on
September 15, 2010.

According to the investigation, in July, 2010, GOINS was
released from the North Carolina Department of Corrections. Five
days later GOINS was arrested for rape. While in custody, GOINS
admitted to possessing a Winchester, Model 1300 Ranger, .12 gauge
shotgun, two days earlier. Further investigation revealed the
firearm had been stolen.

At sentencing, GOINS faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment
followed by up to three years’ supervised release and a fine of up
to $250,000 for the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by
a convicted felon. If deemed an Armed Career Criminal his sentence
for this charge could increase to up to a lifetime of imprisonment
followed by up to five years’ supervised release. In addition, for
the charge of possession a stolen firearm, GOINS faces up to 10
years’ imprisonment followed by up to three years supervised
release and a fine of up to $250,000.

GOINS criminal felonious record includes two counts of assault
with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and one count each
of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapons, possession of
cocaine, and breaking and entering.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods(PSN)
initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to
cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting
repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wilmington Police
Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane J. Jackson
represented the government.