A Roanoke Rapids man who was originally charged with numerous local counts beginning with a domestic disturbance call last June was sentenced federally Friday to 5.5 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Sakwon Artavas Bowser, 29, had pleaded to the count in February, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

At the time of his local arrest, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said Bowser on the morning of June 6, 2024, arrived at a Bolling Road business, assaulted his ex-girlfriend, and attempted to forcefully remove a necklace she was wearing.

He left the area prior to law enforcement arriving.

The United States Attorney’s Office said, according to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, Bowser was wanted on outstanding warrants for common law robbery that related to the necklace.

Later that afternoon law enforcement saw Bowser exit a local mobile home park and attempted a traffic stop.  

Instead of stopping, Bowser drove through a restaurant parking lot and then accelerated at a high rate of speed. 

The officer pursued Bowser as he drove recklessly, passing a vehicle at a stop sign, traveling in the center lane, and reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour in a 35 zone.  

Bowser continued driving through residential yards of a mobile home park before he jumped from the moving vehicle and continued to flee on foot.  

The sheriff’s office noticed he had a backpack in his possession when he jumped out of the car, which he dropped in a wooded area during the foot pursuit. 

HCSO found Bowser hiding inside one of the mobile homes. 

A subsequent search of Bowser’s backpack revealed multiple baggies of marijuana packaged individually for distribution, a loaded Glock 17 handgun, a digital scale, and currency. 

Bowser has a criminal history that spans a decade and includes a prior felony conviction from 2018 for conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses.

Daniel P. Bubar, acting United States attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge James C. Dever III in Raleigh.  

Agencies involved in the investigation include the sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.