Charlotte Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing 20 Guns from Licensed Dealer
ILLINOIS — A Charlotte man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a violent burglary involving theft of firearms from a licensed gun dealer. The case is part of a broader national crackdown on gun crimes under the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America initiative.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Reginald Maraeus Moses, 21, received a 27-month sentence followed by two years of supervised release for his role in a February 2024 robbery that targeted Carolina Sporting Arms, a federally licensed gun store.
Break-In Involved Stolen Vehicle, 20 Firearms Taken
Federal prosecutors say that on February 20, 2024, Moses and an accomplice crashed a stolen vehicle through the entrance of the gun shop and made off with a cache of weapons — including 18 handguns and two long guns.
The break-in triggered local and federal investigations that ultimately led to the arrest of Moses. Law enforcement recovered several of the stolen firearms, but authorities have not said whether all 20 weapons were successfully recovered.
Moses Pleaded Guilty to Firearm Theft and Aiding and Abetting
Moses admitted to his role in the break-in and formally pleaded guilty to firearm theft from a licensed dealer and aiding and abetting. These are federal offenses that carry serious penalties, especially when connected to stolen vehicles and multiple firearms.
Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were involved in the investigation and supported the charges that led to Moses’ conviction.
Case Tied to DOJ Initiative Targeting Gun Crime
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced the sentencing as part of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative aimed at combating illegal firearm trafficking and gun-related violence across the country.
The initiative places particular focus on firearm theft from gun shops, which are increasingly being targeted by criminals seeking to bypass background checks and obtain weapons illegally.
Gun Shop Burglaries Rising Across the U.S.
Moses’ case is not isolated. According to ATF data, over 7,800 firearms were reported stolen from licensed dealers in 2023 — a sharp increase from previous years. Many of these thefts involve tactics similar to Moses’ — including smash-and-grab burglaries using stolen vehicles.
In Illinois, several recent cases have mirrored the events in Charlotte. In March 2025, a gun store in Peoria County was targeted in a similar overnight break-in, with more than 25 handguns stolen. In Cook County, authorities continue to investigate gun theft rings believed to be connected to organized crews operating across state lines.
Federal Prosecution Handled in Charlotte, but Impact Felt Nationally
Though prosecuted in North Carolina, Moses’ case reflects a national pattern of gun thefts that often supply weapons to violent offenders in other states, including Illinois. Law enforcement officials warn that weapons stolen from stores like Carolina Sporting Arms often resurface in cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit, where they are used in gang activity or street-level crimes.
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