NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – A man accused of shooting a Craven County deputy nearly three years ago received the maximum sentence on a federal charge.
Robert Westrup last November pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon in federal court. He was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison.
Deputy Zachary Bellingham was left paralyzed from the waist down after being shot on October 1, 2021, as deputies were trying to serve involuntary commitment papers on Westrup at the request of his family.
The shooting happened on Crooked Run Drive and Westrup was also hit by gunfire with deputies.
Westrup is still awaiting trial in state court on four counts of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon.