Rutherfordton Man on  Probation Sentenced to Prison For Illegal Possession of Multiple Firearms

According to court documents and court proceedings, on September 26, 2022, North Carolina probation officers were attempting to locate Flack, after the defendant, who was on state probation for a drug trafficking conviction, had removed his electronic ankle monitor. When the probation officers arrived at Flack’s residence, they observed Flack’s vehicle in the driveway with all the doors open. The probation officers drove to a nearby location and waited for back up. While they were waiting, Flack drove up to the probation officers and was subsequently placed under arrest. When law enforcement searched Flack, they found a handgun holster on his hip. Law enforcement then searched Flack’s vehicle, where they found multiple firearms, including a Smith & Wesson, model M&P, .40 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer, model 516, 556/.223 caliber rifle loaded with a 30-round magazine, a Smith & Wesson, .38 special revolver, and a Taurus, model The Judge, .45/.410 caliber revolver. Three of the four recovered firearms had been reported stolen.

 

On June 27, 2024, Flack was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon following a bench trial. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The investigation was handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Community Supervision, and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annabelle Chambers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case. Ms. Chambers is a state prosecutor with the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Ashley Welch to serve as SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville.  Ms. Chambers is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 43rd Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office. The SAUSA position helps ensure the effective and vigorous prosecution of federal court cases that impact the counties within the 43rd Prosecutorial District.

 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Updated December 17, 2024