Ohio man sentenced in Iredell County meth, gun case

Michael Lamar Gaines, 40, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced today (August 28) to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, who was joined by Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell and others.

According to court records, in February 2023, an Iredell County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Gaines’ vehicle on I-77 for a traffic violation. Gaines failed to comply and instead fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The sheriff’s deputy reported that Gaines drove off the road multiple times and nearly struck other vehicles in his attempt to elude law enforcement. The vehicle crashed after exiting I-77 and ignoring a stop sign.

Gaines then attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended. Officers searched the vehicle and found a handgun with an extended magazine and two bags containing nearly a pound of meth. Officers also seized $8,940 in cash from Gaines. Court records show Gaines has multiple prior convictions, including drug trafficking and theft. He is prohibited from possessing firearms.

In February of this year, Gaines pleaded guilty to the gun and drug charges. He is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and will be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.