RALEIGH, NC (WITN) – An East Carolina man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for drug trafficking.

United States Attorney Michael Easley, Jr. says 24-year-old Antwone Hatchell was found in the car with his child, a loaded gun and drugs.

On August 9, Hatchell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a basic quantity of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

“Mr. Hatchell is clearly a dangerous individual,” Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps said. illegal narcotics. I am grateful to the US Attorney’s Office and members of the Jacksonville Police Department and Onslow County Sheriff’s Office for their professionalism and dedication to keeping the community safe.”

Officials say Hatchell has been caught with illegal drugs and guns four times in nine months.

In November 2022, he was discovered in his car with his 2-month-old child, a loaded gun with a high-capacity magazine, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana hidden in a diaper bag.

Officials say that in both February and July 2023, he was found asleep in a running vehicle, each time with a loaded handgun and multiple types of controlled substances.

At a separate time in July, officials say Hatchell was stopped and found with a loaded AR-15 handgun with a high-capacity magazine and red dot optic, a loaded 9mm handgun, fentanyl, cocaine base and other contraband.

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