Man on probation for firearm conviction faces new gun, drug charges in Pender County

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A 33-year-old Fayetteville man is facing felony drug and firearm charges in Pender County after court records say two firearms and more than an ounce of marijuana were found during an investigation.

David Elijah Hammonds was arrested Sept. 5 by the Pender County Sheriff’s Office. Court records show he is charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of more than one-half ounce but no more than 1.5 ounces of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon, driving while license revoked and maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances.

Hammonds is also facing a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to court and jail records.

According to a magistrate’s order, investigators accused Hammonds of possessing 1.2 ounces of marijuana with the intent to deliver it. Court documents also list scales, baggies and lighters as alleged drug paraphernalia.

Another charging document alleges Hammonds carried a concealed black Glock Model 29 Gen4 10mm handgun. Investigators also accused him of maintaining a black Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 that was being used to keep and sell marijuana, with marijuana allegedly found under the driver’s seat.

A judicial official wrote in Hammonds’ release order that two firearms were located inside the vehicle during the investigation. The same document says Hammonds was already on probation for a previous firearm-by-felon conviction.

A magistrate found Hammonds posed a danger to the public after determining he had been charged with a felony while on probation.

His release was not authorized at the magistrate level, with court records stating that only a judge may set his conditions of release. Hammonds is scheduled to appear in Pender County District Court at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.