CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than a year after a man was shot and killed outside an arcade in west Charlotte, a man already serving time in federal prison is facing charges in the case, police say.
In April 2021, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that 25-year-old Demontravis Reid was found dead along Wilkinson Boulevard late at night. His death was one of two homicide investigations launched on the same day; hours later, another person was found shot and killed inside a hotel in University City.
On Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, CMPD announced that 31-year-old Joseph Gerell Banks was charged with killing Reid. Banks was charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was served those warrants while in federal prison.
WCNC Charlotte reviewed federal court records for Banks and found in November 2018 he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon for a crime that happened in 2017. He was sentenced to 46 months in prison and would be on supervised release for three years after he got out.
However, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) said Banks was released on probation in November 2020 via good conduct time. According to court records, he was arrested again in May 2021 for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, which records indicated violated the terms of his probation.
In October 2021, an order revoked Banks' supervised release and he was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after another guilty plea. He would have been on 12 months of supervised release after getting out. The BOP confirmed Banks was back in federal custody in January 2022, and that he was released from their custody on Aug. 15, 2022.
CMPD confirmed to WCNC Charlotte that Banks had been transferred to the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.
The investigation into Reid's killing is still ongoing. Anyone who can offer more information can call 704-432-TIPS to talk with a homicide detective. Anonymous Crime Stoppers tips can also be phoned in to 704-334-1600 or submitted online.
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WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.