Allah Truth Kelley, 39, of Roanoke, Virginia, is headed to federal prison for nearly seven years after being caught with two loaded semi-automatic handguns — a crime he had no right to commit. Kelley, already barred from possessing firearms due to prior convictions, was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The arrest unfolded after a woman dialed 911, frantic, reporting that Kelley refused to leave her home and claimed he was armed with two guns. Roanoke City Police responded, tracked down Kelley’s rental vehicle, and initiated a traffic stop. The moment officers approached, the stench of marijuana hit the air — a red flag that opened the door for a deeper search.
Inside the car, just inches from the driver’s seat, investigators found not just drugs but two fully loaded handguns stashed in the glove compartment. No permits. No legal basis to carry. Just steel, ammunition, and a man with a criminal history that should’ve kept him far from any weapon. Kelley was arrested on the spot.
Assistant United States Attorney Ashley B. Neese laid out the evidence at previous hearings, painting a clear picture of a repeat offender playing fast and loose with federal law. Kelley’s criminal past had already stripped him of his Second Amendment rights — a fact he ignored at his own peril.
The case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Roanoke City Police Department. Federal prosecutors Ashley B. Neese and Jennie L. M. Waering handled the case for the United States, ensuring Kelley faced the full weight of federal sentencing guidelines.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle confirmed the sentencing in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, underscoring that illegally armed felons will be pursued and punished. For Allah Truth Kelley, that punishment is 78 months behind bars — time served for choosing to carry when the law said no.
Related Federal Cases
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- Archie Ray Arbogast Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Mark A. Simmons Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Elkins Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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