Trevon Montez Freeman, a resident of Hertford County, has been sentenced to 90 months in prison following his guilty plea to charges of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during the incident. The sentencing took place today in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar commented on the case stating, “Commercial armed robbery not only endangers the lives of victims and bystanders but tears at the fabric of our communities. This result reflects our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and providing some justice to the victim in this case.”
The events leading to Freeman’s sentencing occurred on November 26, 2023. According to court documents, just before 10 p.m., deputies from Hertford County responded to an armed robbery report at Winton Deli located on S. Main Street in Winton. The store clerk recounted that while closing up with her nephew, a man entered wielding a tan handgun and demanded money from the register. The suspect left with $257.
Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes praised his team’s efforts saying, “The professionalism, dedication, and commitment shown by our team reflect our ongoing mission to protect the citizens and businesses of Hertford County.” He added that they remain committed to holding criminals accountable for their actions.
Surveillance footage captured during the robbery showed the suspect brandishing a tan handgun with an attached light under its barrel. A deputy recognized Freeman’s voice from the video footage which led authorities to patrol near his residence. Shortly after midnight, deputies stopped Freeman for speeding where they found him wearing clothing matching witness descriptions along with cash totaling nearly $200.
The investigation was conducted by both the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jake D. Pugh and Phil Aubart following an announcement made by Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar after Chief U.S District Judge Richard E Myers II delivered Freeman’s sentence.
