Fuquay-Varina man sentenced as armed career criminal

U.S. District Judge James C. Dever enhanced Reginald Lee Milligan's sentence due to his "extensive criminal history," according to a release from U.S. Attorney George Holding. Five years' supervised release follows the prison term.

Milligan pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on April 6.

He was arrested June 8, 2008, after fleeing at up to 110 mph from a traffic stop for not having headlights on. A Fuquay-Varina police officer found a stolen, loaded Ruger 9 mm handgun and a small amount of marijuana in his car, prosecutors said.

“We are well pleased with the court’s sentence in this case," Holding said. "This defendant has a long history of serious crime, was found armed at the time of arrest and seriously endangered the police and public with his conduct. The community is safer upon the conviction and sentencing of this defendant.”

According to state Department of Correction records, Milligan's criminal history dates to 2003 and includes 11-month and 4-month prison sentences. His convictions include three for felony breaking-and-entering, three for felony larceny and three for selling or planning to sell drugs.

Milligan was sentenced as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a joint operation of federal, state and local agencies to target gun crime and repeat offenders.