Columbus Co. man found guilty of carjacking, firearm charge | 911

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A 22-year-old man from Columbus County was found guilty Tuesday of carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, according to a news release from a spokesperson on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Monday, John Moore of Chadbourn pleaded guilty to the third count of the Dec. 14, 2010 indictment, in which he was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Based on evidence presented at the trial, Moore broke into an Evergreen, NC home March 1, 2010.

The victim, whose gender is unknown, then arrived at the home with his or her grandchild and parked in the driveway. Leaving the child in the vehicle, he or she approached the residence, where the doorframe had been broken and the door was open.

The victim proceeded to enter the home, where he or she came across Moore. Moore forced the victim to the ground at gunpoint, put a gun to the victim’s head and then dragged him or her around the home by the hair.

Moore then dragged the victim into the bedroom, duct-taping his or her hands and face. Moore demanded money from the victim, who responded that money was in the car. Moore began to drag the victim outside, where they were met by the family dog.

At that point, Moore shot and killed the dog and dragged the victim back into the house, putting him or her into a closet. Minutes later, Moore threw the child in the closet with the victim before he went room to room.

Before leaving, Moore threatened to kill the victim and his or her family.

The victim waited for about 30 minutes before leaving the closet and discovering that the family car, along with cash and other items from the home, had been stolen.

Moore faces up to “15 years imprisonment for the carjacking, up to a life-term of imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence charge, and up to 10 years imprisonment for the possession of a firearm by a felon charge,” according to the news release.

If Moore is considered to be an armed career criminal, he could face a life-term sentence.

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