Robeson County man sentenced to 14 years in federal prison
WILMINGTON, NC (News Release) — On December 11, 2025, a federal judge sentenced a Maxton man to 14 years in federal prison for distributing cocaine and methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lloyd Kinston Locklear, Jr., age 36, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2024.
“Drug dealers who flood our communities with dangerous drugs that put families and children at risk. They don’t care who they kill. We will not tolerate it,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This criminal chose drugs, guns, and chaos over the safety of kids in our neighborhoods. Spending the next 14 years in in prison ensures he can no longer threaten our families or poison our communities. We will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who sells dugs that kills our kids. Good riddance.”
According to the court documents and other information presented in court, investigators with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office learned in January 2022 that Locklear was selling drugs. On January 26, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 3.7 grams of cocaine from Locklear. Officers executed a search warrant at Locklear’s residence the following day. When officers arrived, Locklear turned tail and scurried away, but they arrested him shortly afterward.
During the execution of the search warrant and arrest of Locklear, law enforcement located and seized large amounts of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam, marijuana, and a firearm. On November 2, 2022, officers arrested Locklear again and conducted a search incident to that arrest, seizing additional amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine. State judges released Locklear on bond.
On January 20, 2023, a Robeson County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Lockler in his car on Interstate 95 after observing him fail to maintain his lane. Deputies determined that Locklear had a pending federal arrest warrant and attempted to take him into custody. Locklear fought the officers, resisting arrest. The officer tazed Locklear and had to shoot at him. Thankfully, officers ultimately subdued Locklear before he could kill them, and detained him pending federal prosecution.
The ATF, Maxton Police Department, and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office performed excellent work investigating this case as a team.
