JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A Jacksonville man is being held in the Onslow County Jail after police say he possessed a firearm despite a prior felony conviction and injured two officers during an investigation.
According to charging documents, 47-year-old Cornelius Kenyatta Koonce was arrested June 10 and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon by the Jacksonville Police Department. Investigators allege Koonce was in possession of a derringer pistol. Court records show he was previously convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in Onslow County.
Police also charged Koonce with two counts of assault inflicting physical injury on a law enforcement officer. Charging documents allege two Jacksonville police officers suffered injuries during the incident.
In addition, Koonce is charged with resisting a public officer. Authorities say he pulled away from officers and attempted to flee while they were conducting an investigation.
Investigators also allege Koonce unlawfully entered a building at the Red Carpet Inn on North Marine Boulevard, leading to a misdemeanor breaking or entering charge.
Koonce remains in the Onslow County Jail. A judge ordered him held without bond on the firearm charge and set a $25,000 secured bond on the remaining charges.