Maxton man could get life sentence

A Maxton man faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to drug and gun offenses, officials said.

Shelley Dunn Jr., 33, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to a release from U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding.

Dunn could face up to 40 years in prison and five years of supervised release for the drug charge and life in prison for the firearm charge, officials said. He could also face a fine of $2million and another of $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for October.

According to investigators, Dunn was arrested after law enforcement arranged a controlled cocaine buy at a Pembroke convenience store in May 2008.

After the buy, officers stopped Dunn's vehicle and arrested him and a co-defendant, Shauna Locklear, the release said. Searching Dunn, officers found a small amount of crack cocaine in a baggie.

On Locklear, they found the money earlier used to buy drugs, a set of digital scales and more money, a release said. A handgun was found inside the vehicle.

The investigation into Dunn was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a joint federal and state program that targets gun crimes, the release said.

No information was given regarding Locklear or any charges that may have been filed against her.

The case was a joint effort between agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the State Bureau of Investigation; the Robeson County Sheriff's Office; and the Pembroke Police Department.