RALEIGH, NORTH
A federal grand jury this week indicted former police Sgt. Brandon Scott Hawks, 33, of Eure, NC with two-counts of possession of a stolen firearm, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute a number of controlled substances.
He is facing up to 10 years in prison on each firearm charge and up to 20 years for the drug offense, according to officials.
Each of the firearm offenses carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and the drug offense carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.
Hawks was employed as a deputy with the Gates County Sheriff’s Office since 2006, and held the title of Sergeant in 2017.
Beginning on July 23, 2017, and continuing until December 6, 2017, Hawks possessed a stolen firearm, specifically a Glock 26 handgun, according to the indictment.
The prosecution alleges that the firearm was unlawfully seized by Hawks during a traffic stop on July 23, 2017, was never submitted as evidence to the Sheriff’s Office and was found at Hawks’ residence on December 6, 2017.
Count two of the Indictment charges Hawks with possessing a stolen firearm from May 27, 2014 until December 6, 2017.
Finally, count three charges that on December 6, 2017, Hawks possessed with the intent to distribute several controlled substances, to include heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.
The controlled substances were considered the property of the Gates County Sheriff’s Office and were seized during criminal investigations.
Hawks was terminated from his employment with the Gates County Sheriff’s Office on December 6, 2017, the day that all of the above items were recovered.