A Roanoke man who had been acquitted in state court of a 2019 murder in Roanoke after claiming self-defense was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison on a federal gun charge.
Demarcus Shaiquan Glenn, 23, pleaded guilty in July to one count of possessing, brandishing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, a 16-year-old male contacted Glenn through a friend on May 31, 2019, in order to purchase two ounces of marijuana. Glenn agreed to sell the teenager the marijuana for $300 and was to meet him at a Denniston Avenue residence to conduct the transaction. In the course of that transaction, Glenn produced a firearm and shot and killed the teenager.
Glenn was charged in state court for the shooting but was later acquitted, claiming self-defense.
During his state jury trial, Glenn testified in his own defense. According to Glenn, he carried firearms for protection because he sold drugs, and it can be dangerous, and when he arrived at the teenager’s residence, Glenn was carrying a loaded firearm in his right pocket.
Glenn admitted under oath to shooting the teenager in the course of the drug deal.
Federal law prohibits convicted drug dealers from possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.