Antonio Patterson Gets 7 Years for Felon Firearm Possession

Antonio Patterson, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, is headed to federal prison for 7 years after being caught with a loaded 9mm handgun — equipped with an extended 30-round magazine — following a high-speed chase that ended in a crash and foot pursuit. The sentence, handed down today by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne, marks another conviction under the Department of Justice’s aggressive push to remove firearms from violent offenders.

Patterson’s criminal turn began when Richmond Police spotted him speeding in a vehicle late last year. When officers activated their lights, Patterson didn’t stop — instead, he led a dangerous chase through city streets before slamming into a median. He fled on foot but was quickly caught just a short distance from the wreck. Inside the car, authorities found not only the firearm but also a substantial quantity of marijuana stashed in the trunk.

Court documents confirm Patterson admitted to owning and carrying the weapon despite being a previously convicted felon — a status that legally bars him from possessing any firearm. The discovery of the extended magazine, capable of holding 30 rounds, raised immediate red flags among investigators about the potential for mass violence had the situation escalated.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Duffey as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the DOJ’s flagship initiative targeting violent crime hotspots through coordinated federal and local enforcement. PSN prioritizes the prosecution of repeat and armed offenders, aiming to disrupt cycles of violence through targeted sentencing and community partnerships.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ashan M. Benedict, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Washington Field Division, jointly announced the sentencing outcome. They emphasized that cases like Patterson’s reflect the success of federal-state task forces in intercepting weapons before they’re used in more serious crimes.

The Richmond Police Department played a crucial role in the investigation, from the initial pursuit to evidence recovery at the crash scene. Court records, including those tied to Case No. 3:18-cr-146, are available via the Eastern District of Virginia’s District Court website and PACER. This conviction underscores the relentless scrutiny felons face when attempting to rearm — and the steep price they pay when caught.