Antonio Carlos Harris, 39, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for multiple criminal offenses and admission to habitual felon status on Monday, October 28, 2024, in Catawba County Superior Court.
The Honorable Matthew Osman, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Harris entered a guilty plea to felony flee/elude with a motor vehicle, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine and two counts of possession of firearm by felon.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
His sentence length was enhanced by prior felony convictions for first-degree burglary in Catawba County (August 2008), assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury in Catawba County (June 2004) and attempted common law robbery in Lincoln County (May 2002).
On October 7, 2022, a deputy with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle at a gas station and determined the driver had a suspended license. The vehicle left the station but was pulled a short time later.
A K-9 search led to recovery of a handgun found in the vehicle, driven by Harris, who previously had been convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in Catawba County (August 2008).
On December 22, 2023, Brookford officers attempted to stop a vehicle for an expired registration. Harris, the driver, stopped the vehicle and opened the door as the officer approached but quickly shut it and sped off at a high rate of speed.
He led officers on a chase, passing vehicles illegally, running a stop sign and reaching speeds of 100 mph. The chase eventually came to an end in Vale. Harris exited the vehicle with a gun in hand but dropped it before being apprehended after a short foot chase. He also was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and digital scales.
Chief Willie Armstrong of Brookford Police Department and Casey Day of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cases. Assistant District Attorney Howard Wellons prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Meredith Scott.