Pubdate: Tue, 17 Dec 2002
Source: Wilmington Morning Star (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Author: Millard K. Ives, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

SECOND MAN SENTENCED FOR ACTIONS IN SHOOTOUT

BOLIVIA - A second man has been sentenced following charges that stemmed 
from a shootout during a drug raid last year by Brunswick County sheriff's 
deputies.

Lavar Atari Thomas will serve a maximum of 7 years after pleading guilty to 
two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.

Mr. Thomas, 23, pleaded last week in Brunswick County Superior Court, a day 
before his trial was supposed to start. He is accused of shooting at 
sheriff's deputies as he was running from them during the raid.

"We wanted at least five years, so we are satisfied," said Assistant 
District Attorney Chris Thomas.

Lavar Thomas, no relation to the assistant district attorney, turned down a 
2- to 3-year sentence offered by the district attorney's office earlier 
this year in exchange for testifying against his roommate, Paul Pelham.

A Superior Court judge sentenced Mr. Pelham in October to 19 to 26 years 
after he was found guilty of various assault and drug charges from the 
shootout, including shooting a deputy, narcotics agent Stephen Lanier.

Mr. Pelham, 25, was found not guilty of the most serious charge against 
him, attempted first-degree murder.

Mr. Thomas will serve two consecutive sentences of 29 to 44 months for the 
two counts to which he pleaded. In exchange for the plea, several other 
drug and assault charges were dropped, including assault with a deadly 
weapon with intent to kill.

On Oct. 5 of last year, sheriff's deputies raided the two men's Winnabow 
home for drugs, which sparked a shootout between the two groups. Officials 
said Mr. Thomas jumped out a window and shot at deputies as he ran from the 
home.

Both defendants were also shot during the raid.

Chris Thomas said the district attorney's office didn't consider the case 
against Lavar Thomas as important as Mr. Pelham's because no one was shot 
by him.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom