Marine Corps officials say they are aware of reports of a Marine allegedly armed with an assault rifle who was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase in Carteret County, North Carolina, last weekend.
Lance Cpl. Michael H. Sells, a 19-year-old machine gunner stationed out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was clocked going nearly 123 mph when an officer tried to stop him, Jacksonville Daily News reported.
An officer pursued the Marine down North Carolina’s highway 24 until the junior Marine crashed turning right onto Enterprise Avenue in Carteret County, according to Jacksonville Daily News.
The officer at the scene, Trooper Ryan Onofrio, told the Jacksonville Daily News that Sells was trying to load an assault rifle but was disarmed and placed in handcuffs.
Sells was arrested and eventually turned back over to his command, Jacksonville Daily News reported.
“2d Marine Division is aware of the incident involving LCpl Sells last weekend and is fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation,” Capt. Eric Abrams told Marine Corps Times Friday in an emailed statement.
Sells has been hit with a slew of charges to include felony fleeing to elude arrest and careless and reckless driving.
Sells doesn’t even have a full year of service under his belt, having entered the Corps May 22, 2017, according to releasable information from his service record book.
Marine officials say Sells is no longer in custody but provided few details.
“The specific details regarding the situation are still under investigation and so it would be inappropriate for the command to comment,” Abrams said.
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
