Maxton man sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug offenses

MAXTON – After pleading guilty in April, Lloyd Kinston Locklear, 34, of Maxton was sentenced to 20 years in prison for numerous drug offenses.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Locklear sold 3.7 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant on January 26, 2022. Following this controlled sale, Robeson County Sheriff's officers were able to obtain a search warrant for Locklear's residence and executed the search warrant on January 27, 2022. When police arrived, Locklear fled the scene in a vehicle and unsuccessfully attempted to jump over a ditch.

He exited the vehicle and was arrested near a book bag containing five grams of cocaine, 19.75 grams of ice (99% pure methamphetamine),

On November 2, 2022, officers from the Maxton Police Department arrested Locklear on an outstanding state warrant for possession of a firearm by a felon and found him in possession of 29.94 grams of Ice (98% pure methamphetamine) and $664. Locklear admitted the methamphetamine was his and stated that he had previously sold cocaine. He was again indicted by the state and released on bail. On December 21, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Locklear, charging him with distribution of cocaine (January 26, 2022), possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (January 27, 2022), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (January 27, 2022), and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (November 2, 2022).

On January 20, 2023, Robeson County Sheriff's officers observed a vehicle on Interstate 95 failing to maintain its lane. Officers stopped the vehicle on suspicion of drunk driving and encountered Locklear, a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle. Officers ordered Locklear to exit the vehicle, which he did, but he quickly began resisting the officer's attempt to arrest him on the federal warrant. Locklear was handcuffed with his hands in front of his body and did not comply with commands.

The deputy drew his Taser and Locklear lunged at him, striking him in the chest and arms, knocking the Taser out of his hand and the body-worn camera off his chest. The deputy retrieved his Taser and then unsuccessfully attempted to Taser Locklear, who aggressively advanced toward him and yelled “come on, bro.” The deputy grabbed Locklear by the handcuffs, but Locklear backed away and walked to the front of the vehicle. Locklear then extended his arms forward and yelled “back, back,” and the deputy saw what he believed to be a firearm in Locklear's cuffed hands. The deputy drew his weapon and fired at Locklear, but missed. Locklear then walked to the rear of the deputy's patrol car and lay down to surrender. Deputies searched the area and found a stolen .45 caliber handgun on the grassy shoulder of I-95, approximately 50 feet behind the stopped vehicle.

Between January 2022 and his arrest by federal authorities in January 2023, Locklear was free on bail. He was charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and premeditated murder in connection with an incident that occurred on June 3, 2020. Locklear was also charged with burglary, theft after burglary, and conspiracy to commit burglary or theft in connection with an incident that occurred on April 26, 2021. All state charges against Locklear originate in Robeson County and are pending.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement following sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office, Maxton Police Department and ATF investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuted.