A Charlotte federal jury has convicted 38-year-old Mitchell Clydero Patterson on charges of illegal firearm possession by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson underscored the significance of this verdict, stating, “Felons are prohibited from carrying firearms for a reason.” He condemned Patterson’s actions and vowed to continue vigorously prosecuting such repeat offenders, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
The announcement was a collaborative effort—including statements from Alicia Jones, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge, and local law enforcement heads from Union County and Charlotte—who collectively aim to aggressively keep firearms out of the hands of those deemed unfit to carry them. As the case unfolded, evidence was presented that Patterson had been involved in multiple incidents where his illegal possession of firearms led to violent outcomes, even injuring one innocent bystander.
The culmination of the case against Patterson revealed that, during two separate confrontations—one at a business and another at a take-out restaurant—Patterson engaged in gunfire, resulting in property damage and personal injury. Charges mounted after an August 15, 2024, high-speed chase that swept across county lines, leading to Patterson’s capture and the discovery of a stolen 9mm semiautomatic pistol connected to earlier shootings…