A 24-year-old Roanoke Rapids man faces weapons charges while a 16-year-old will go through the juvenile court system for similar crimes that include drug counts.

The arrest of Marquette Sykes occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday after Roanoke Rapids police officers went to a call regarding armed people in the area of Oakridge Drive off Georgia Avenue, Chief Shane Guyant said.

Several people were observed in the area. One had an AR-style rifle but Sykes claimed ownership of the weapon.

Sykes, who was convicted in June for felony possession of cocaine and marijuana stemming from a 2022 arrest, claimed ownership of the weapon, which had been stolen from Gaston County in 2022.

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During the investigation a juvenile law enforcement is familiar with attempted to obstruct the officers by distracting their attention away to another person.

A frisk search of this juvenile for weapons was conducted and two handguns were found. 

At the police department Officer M. Morris found 154 grams of marijuana, 8 grams of THC wax, 32 dosage units of MDMA, and a black digital scale.

Sykes was charged by Officer W. Plyler with possession of a firearm by convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm.   

Sykes was jailed in the Halifax County Detention Center without the opportunity for bond due to an April misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge. He has a September 26 district court date.

The juvenile was processed through the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for secured custody and petitions for the charges of:

Felony possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule I narcotic

Felony possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI narcotic

Felony possession of a schedule I narcotic

Felony possession of a schedule VI narcotic

Misdemeanor possession of a schedule VI narcotic

Two counts of carrying a concealed gun

Two counts of possession of a handgun by minor

Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia

Guyant said although the charges met the standards for secured custody, NCDJJDP used their discretion and released the juvenile under an Alternative Detention Plan to the juvenile’s mother.   

“We understand that diversion is sometimes an appropriate action. However, we completely disagree with this decision,” the chief said. “We also understand that we have no voice in this decision. This juvenile possessed two handguns that were concealed and also had dangerous levels of narcotics in their possession. How this doesn't warrant secured custody is beyond me. We are beholden to the system. Nonetheless, we will continue to be relentless and hopefully in the future accountability will be something this juvenile experiences.”