Hickory Man Sentenced To Prison

29-year-old Shane Tyrell Stenson of Hickory, was given an active prison term of seven to ten years for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine and status as a habitual felon. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge David H. Strickland of Mecklenburg County after Stenson pleaded guilty and admitted to being a habitual felon. The plea was entered during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, August 5th.

His sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for possession of stolen motor vehicle (June 2016), larceny (November 2019) and possession of firearm by convicted felon (April 2023), all in Catawba County. On September 19, 2025, Stenson attempted to flee an arrest attempt for outstanding warrants. During a foot chase, the defendant discarded a firearm before he was apprehended. The firearm, a .357 revolver, was retrieved.

During a search of Stenson, a folded piece of tin foil containing methamphetamine was found in his pants pocket. He previously had been convicted of possession of firearm by a convicted felon in April 2023 in Catawba County. Dylan Cassidy investigated the cases for Hickory Police Department.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY