Shane Tyrell Stenson, 29, of Hickory, was given an active prison term of seven to 10 years for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine and status as a habitual felon.
The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge David H. Strickland of Mecklenburg County after Stenson pleaded guilty and admitted to being a habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Stenson will spend his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
His sentence length was enhanced by prior felony convictions for possession of stolen motor vehicle (June 2016), larceny (November 2019) and possession of firearm by convicted felon (April 2023), all in Catawba County.
On September 19, 2025, Stenson attempted to flee an arrest attempt for outstanding warrants. During a foot chase, the defendant discarded a firearm before he was apprehended. The firearm, a Taurus .357 revolver, was retrieved.
During a search of Stenson, a folded piece of tin foil containing methamphetamine was found in his pants pocket.
He previously had been convicted of possession of firearm by a convicted felon in April 2023 in Catawba County.
Dylan Cassidy investigated the cases for Hickory Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Melanie Earles prosecuted the case for the State with assistance from Legal Assistant Jordan Arney.