Attorney Chiege O. Okwara's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Maximillian Karl Ruggiero

Apr 02, 2026

OUTCOME: Pled guilty to accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.

On October 25, 2024, at 2352 hours, South Division officers responded to James Blakeney Avenue for an Accident with Personal Injury, in which a vehicle crashed into a tree. Officers arrived on scene, ... and Medic was already on scene treating the victim. Medic found that the victim was suffering from a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. The victim, Zackary Evan Rieken, was pronounced deceased on scene. Homicide and Crime Scene were requested and responded to the scene. Detectives reviewed camera footage from a residence on James Blakeney Avenue which shows the victim sitting in his parked vehicle at 2345 hours. The victim is approached by multiple subjects on foot, and they can be seen having a conversation through the driver’s side window. Shortly after 2346 hours, the video shows one of the subjects fire a handgun once into the open driver window of the victim’s vehicle. The victim attempts to drive away from the scene, but the vehicle crashes into a tree in the southwest corner of the intersection of James Blakeney Avenue and Bullock Greenway Blvd. The suspects can be seen running back to a white SUV and fleeing the scene on James Blakeney Avenue towards Alma Blount Blvd . Crime Scene photographed and collected one brass “CBC 9MM Luger” discharged cartridge casing from the street in front of a residence on James Blakeney Avenue. Crime Scene also photographed and collected a cell phone, multiple empty plastic Ziploc baggies with apparent marijuana residue, approximately fifteen LSD tabs in two plastic baggies, multiple pairs of latex gloves, a Ziploc bag of mushrooms, three glass containers containing THC wax, one bottle of vape pod juice, alcohol wipes, a metal container of marijuana stems, five small multicolor rubber containers with marijuana residue, one metal marijuana grinder, one $1 bill, a single five Euro bank note, two plastic shaker cups filled with marijuana in plastic bags, one butane torch, one glass pipe with THC wax residue, one ash tray with marijuana residue, two vape pens, one additional 3.5g bag of pre-packaged marijuana, and two digital scales. Police investigation identified 5 persons of interest in connection with this homicide. Ultimately, Jeremiah Childers, 18, pled guilty to 1) second-degree murder and 2) conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Judge Archie sentenced him to 125-162 months in prison. Sanjie Johnson, 19, pled guilty to 1) second-degree murder and 2) conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Judge Archie sentenced him to 157-201 months in prison. Maximillian Ruggiero, 19, pled guilty to accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. Judge Archie sentenced him to 67-93 months in prison. The sentence will run consecutively to the sentence he’s currently serving for a previous conviction. The charges of FIRST DEGREE MURDER, ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON, CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON and DISCHARGE A WEAPON INTO AN OCCUPIED DWELLING/MOVING VEHICLE WERE DISMISSED as part of the plea arrangement.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Brendon Goodell

Feb 14, 2025

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

Excerpt from the State's notice of Voluntary Dismissal of the charge of First Degree Murder. The State's evidence would show that Co-Defendant’s called 911 on March 28, 2024, reporting that the allege ... d victim, attempted to break into Defendants' house, threw a glass bottle at Co-Defendant’s ’s wife, and that decedent "came at us aggressively" before both Defendants shot the decedent in self-defense. Decedent suffered from 23 gunshot wounds to the chest and left torso and was pronounced deceased on scene. On scene, investigators located (10) 9 mm discharged cartridge casings and (7) .380 discharged cartridge casings near the decedent’s body. Co-Defendant’s ’s wife and four children (Ages 1- 7) were present inside the home. She advised that the decedent on that night was "all hyped up" and angry about people stealing his things. She told him to leave, and he became more upset and threw a glass bottle at her. The bottle broke and cut her daughter's foot. At that point, Co-Defendant’s ’s argued with the decedent and Co-Defendant’s pushed the decedent outside of the residence. Additionally, she stated she previously called police to have the decedent removed from the home in December 2023. Both Co-Defendant’s and Goodell were voluntarily transported to the CMPD Law Enforcement Center to provide statements to detectives. Both stated that they shot the decedent in self-defense and defense of others. In dismissing the cases, the State concluded that Co-Defendant’s , his wife and Goodell, all acknowledged that the decedent was an invited guest that lived in the home or garage for some time leading up to the incident. However, all three individuals advised that the decedent was instructed to leave the residence on multiple occasions after he initially ran inside to allegedly assault Co-Defendant’s 's wife and would raise the "Castle Doctrine" defense. The State lacks a reasonable chance of success at trial in proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendants (1) were not lawful occupants or (2) that The decedent had a right to be on the property. Although The decedent lived at the property at times, North Carolina law dictates that his right to be on the property terminated once he was thrown out of the house and Defendants asked The decedent to leave. Defendants, through counsel, communicated to the State their intention to assert the affirmative defense of self-defense and, specifically, to invoke the Castle Doctrine. Defendants provided the State with a lease agreement entered into by Defendants with the homeowner of subject property, proof that Defendants paid property taxes on the property, records of payment for utilities, along with other records associated with the Defendants paying for services on the property. Defendants assert that these records demonstrate that Defendants were "lawful occupants" of the home at the time of the shooting. Additionally, CMPD records demonstrate that CMPD personnel responded to subject property on at least five occasions prior to the shooting and Defendants and Co-Defendant’s wife represented themselves as the lawful occupants of the property. Additionally, the State lacks admissible evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendants were not lawful occupants of the home. As such, the Defendants would be entitled to the legal presumption that they reasonably feared imminent death or serious bodily harm in light of The decedent 's unlawful entry. The State lacks a reasonable chance of success at trial in disproving that the Defendants did not act in self-defense. As such, justice requires these charges be dismissed.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Brandon Hynson

Apr 11, 2024

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

The decedent was murdered in a vehicle occupied by him and 19 year old Hynson’s ex-girlfriend, a juvenile. The ex-girlfriend/eye-witness identified Hynson as the shooter alleging that she could recogni ... ze his build and posture and the homicide was as a result of Hynson’s jealousy over her new relationship. Her mother also identified Hynson as the shooter. Subsequent to Hynson’s arrest, the ex and her mother recanted. The ex-girlfriend/eye-witness was no longer sure who the shooter was but that it was not Hynson. Her mother said she identified Hynson only because her daughter said it was him. The ex and her mother had been visiting Hynson in the jail and putting money on his commissary account. Told they state they could not prove that Hynson was the perpetrator of the crime charged with their star witnesses recanting and visiting Hynson while he was incarcerated for this charge in the jail.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Jeremiah Cunningham

Mar 22, 2024

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

The decedent was murdered in a vehicle occupied by 18 year old Cunningham and his co-defendant. Surveillance video showed Cunningham removing the decedent from the vehicle, and dumping him on the stree ... t. Cunningham was on electronic monitor for a pending robbery charge. He had been shot and took off his monitor and sought medical treatment at a local hospital where he was arrested. In his custodial interview, he said the decedent shot him and his co-defendant killed the decedent in self -defense but that he did not know the co-defendant who was the driver of the vehicle. The state could not disprove self-defense.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Zion Brown

Dec 21, 2023

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed.

The decedent was murdered in the apartment he shared with defendant’s brother on August 5, 2022. Defendant’s brother called 911 and reported a home invasion in which shoes and other items were alleged ... ly stolen. On March 6, 2023, 21 year old Brown was arrested after his DNA was recovered from spent shell casings at the crime scene. For its round table discussion of the case, advised the State that the evidence was insufficient to convict Brown of first degree murder and they could not otherwise prove the case.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Cori Meadows

Dec 15, 2023

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

17 year old Meadows and his co-defendant were involved in a shootout in which each side claimed there was an attempted robbery. The decedent and Meadows’ co-defendant were shot. The decedent’s friends ... took him to a local hospital and dropped him off on the pavement outside the ER. Bystanders assisted in taking him inside the hospital. Meadows and his sister took the co-defendant, his cousin, to the hospital for treatment. Meadows denied being armed but his co-defendant admitted to killing the decedent after the decedent shot him. The decedent was armed. The State could not disprove self-defense.

Federal crime

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. Eric HENDERSON, Defendant - Appellant.

Dec 13, 2023

OUTCOME: REVERSED AFTER ORAL ARGUMENTS BY PUBLISHED OPINION

ARGUED: Chiege Ojugo Kalu Okwara, Charlotte, North Carolina, for Appellant. "Eric Henderson appeals his sentence, which was imposed after he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by ... a person previously convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). He contends that the district court erred in two ways when it calculated his sentencing guidelines range. First, it applied a four-level enhancement for possession of a firearm in connection with another felony offense pursuant to § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) of the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Second, it applied a two-level enhancement for reckless endangerment during flight pursuant to § 3C1.2 of the Sentencing Guidelines. For the reasons that follow, we reverse and remand for resentencing." In this case, Eric Henderson, a convicted felon, was charged with one count of possession of a firearm, violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Henderson pleaded guilty to the charge, but objected to the sentencing enhancements applied by the district court. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed the district court's decision and remanded the case for resentencing. The court held that the district court erred in applying a four-level sentencing enhancement under § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) of the United States Sentencing Guidelines. This enhancement was based on Henderson's possession of a firearm "in connection with another felony offense," namely, possession of a firearm while under a domestic violence protective order. The court noted that a person cannot be punished more severely for violating multiple provisions of § 922(g) with the same act of possession. The court also ruled that the district court made a mistake in applying a two-level enhancement under § 3C1.2 of the Sentencing Guidelines for reckless endangerment during flight. The court found that Henderson's conduct did not meet the definition of recklessness as established by prior court decisions, which require "flight-plus-something more" for the enhancement to apply. In Henderson's case, there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate reckless behavior or substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury during his flight.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. REDACTED

Aug 07, 2023

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE RAPE AND RELATED CHARGES: Not Guilty of 6 felony counts. Acquitted after a jury trial.

On March 31, 2022, the complainant alleged that the Defendant broke into her house and raped her, while her minor child was present in the home. She also had a dog in the home at the time of the allege ... d rape Defendant was arrested on April 4, 2022. Defendant was charged with Assault On A Female, First Degree Kidnapping, Possession of Firearm By Felon, First Degree Force Sex Offense, First Degree Forcible Rape, First Degree Forcible Rape, First Degree Burglary, and Sexual Battery. These charges involve one alleged victim. After his arrest, Defendant waived his Miranda rights and was interviewed. The interview was audio and video recorded. Defendant denied committing any offenses and asserted that any sexual relations with the alleged victim were consensual. After being in custody for 11 months, and unable to post bond, Defendant did not wish the proceedings in this matter to be delayed any further and, through Counsel, filed a motion for speedy trial. The motion was granted and the trial commenced on July 24, 2023. When the case was called for trial, the State dismissed the misdemeanor charges on Assault On A Female and Sexual Battery. They proceeded to trial on the six felonies, exposing the Defendant to the following sentencing ranges: § 14-39. Kidnapping. Sentence Defendant was facing if convicted at trial was a minimum of 127 months or 10 years and 7 months minimum and a maximum of 165 months or 13 years and 9 months § 14-27.26. First-degree forcible sexual offense. Any person who commits an offense defined in this section is guilty of a Class B1 felony. Sentence Defendant was facing if convicted at trial was a minimum of 420 months or 35 years minimum and a maximum of 504 months or 42 years § 14-27.21. First-degree forcible rape. Any person who commits an offense defined in this section is guilty of a Class B1 felony. Sentence Defendant was facing if convicted at trial was a minimum of 420 months or 35 years minimum and a maximum of 504 months or 42 years. § 14-27.21. First-degree forcible rape. Any person who commits an offense defined in this section is guilty of a Class B1 felony. Sentence Defendant was facing if convicted at trial was a minimum of 420 months or 35 years minimum and a maximum of 504 months on this charge 42 years § 14-415.1. Possession of firearms, etc., by felon prohibited. Every person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished As a Class G felon. Sentence Defendant was facing if convicted at trial was a minimum of 22 months and a maximum of 36 months § 14-51. First and second degree burglary. Burglary in the first degree shall be punishable as a Class D felony, and burglary in the second degree shall be punishable as a Class G felony. Sentence Defendant was facing if convicted at trial was a minimum of 111 months or 9 years and 3 months minimum and a maximum of 146 months or 12 years and 2 months. On August 7, 2023, after a nearly 2 ½ week trial, Defendant was acquitted of all charges.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Hakim Eads

Jun 28, 2022

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE AND OTHER CHARGES: Cases dismissed

On 07/07/2021 Hickory Grove officers responded to an address in reference to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon inflicting Serious Injury call for service. The 911 caller reported that her nephew came ins ... ide and told her that someone was shot outside of the residence. Responding officers located the victim in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. The victim was pronounced deceased. Another victim suffered an non-life threatening injury to his left arm and was transported to Atrium for treatment. Homicide and CSI were requested and responded to the scene. On 07/28/2021 two witnesses came forward that provided information that the suspect, Hakim Eads, had admitted to the murder to them. The witnesses cited an ongoing disagreement between the victim and defendant as well as that the suspect had confronted one of the witnesses about her relationship with the victim, suspecting that they were in a dating relationship. Based on this alleged witness testimony warrants were obtained for Eads for Murder, Assault With a Deadly Weapon with Intent To Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, and Firearm by Felon. On 07/29/2021 VCAT and Hickory Grove Officers arrested Eads at his residence and was transported to the LEC to be interviewed. Eads waived Miranda but denied any involvement in the murder, although he acknowledged the ongoing dispute with the victim. There was no evidence tying Eads to the crime except for the statements by these alleged witnesses, which statements were not otherwise corroborated. There was no DNA, fingerprints or any other evidence tying Eads to the crimes. The surviving eye witnesses gave descriptions that did not match Eads. Cases dismissed on 06/28/22.

Criminal defense

State of North Carolina v. Michael Oliver

Jul 14, 2021

OUTCOME: FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

On 10/09/2020, at approximately 2039hrs, Eastway Division Officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service at a residence in Charlotte. The 911 caller reported someone was stabbed ... and that Michael Oliver stabbed the victim and said it was self-defense. Detectives spoke to a witness who was present before and during the fight. The witness stated the two were arguing before engaging in a fight and went to the ground shortly before the victim said he was stabbed and the witness saw blood. The witnesses stated that Michael Oliver said after the incident it was an accident, that he did not mean to do it. Oliver was detained at the scene by responding officers and transported to Atrium Main to receive care for cuts on his right hand. He waived his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak to Detectives. He stated the victim and he had been fighting and the victim attacked him by punching him in the head with his hand. During the fight, the two went to the ground and he stabbed the victim with a knife he had in his hand before the fight. Case dismissed.

Chiege O. Okwara's Legal Cases (46)

State of North Carolina v. Maximillian Karl Ruggiero

State of North Carolina v. Brendon Goodell

State of North Carolina v. Brandon Hynson

State of North Carolina v. Jeremiah Cunningham

State of North Carolina v. Zion Brown

State of North Carolina v. Cori Meadows

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. Eric HENDERSON, Defendant - Appellant.

State of North Carolina v. REDACTED

State of North Carolina v. Hakim Eads

State of North Carolina v. Michael Oliver