A Charlottesville man with a criminal record bolted from police, tossing a loaded .380-caliber handgun into the bushes as he ran, only to be caught and slammed with federal time. Tory Alexander Thomas, 33, was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in illegal possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle confirmed.
Thomas, of Charlottesville, Virginia, pleaded guilty to the federal charge in United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. In addition to the 30-month prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release upon his release. The conviction stems from a May 12, 2016 incident that began in the parking lot of Blue Ridge Commons.
According to evidence laid out by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber, Charlottesville police approached a parked vehicle after catching the unmistakable stench of marijuana. Thomas was seated in the passenger side. He initially complied with officers—but then took off on foot. As he fled, officers saw him yank an object from his waistband and hurl it toward nearby shrubbery.
After tracking down and arresting Thomas, detectives searched the area and recovered a Diamondback DB380 .380 handgun hidden under a bush. The weapon was loaded, with a round chambered and ready to fire. Ballistics and field tests confirmed it was operable and recently handled.
Thomas later admitted in federal court that he knowingly possessed the firearm and tossed it during his dash from law enforcement. As a previously convicted felon, he is barred under federal law from owning or carrying any firearm. Prosecutors emphasized the danger posed by armed felons evading police in public spaces.
The investigation was a joint operation by the Charlottesville City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Charlottesville City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber handled the prosecution. The case underscores the federal crackdown on repeat offenders wielding firearms in plain sight of law enforcement.
Related Federal Cases
- Preston County Felon Scott Thomas Gets 41 Months for Gun Possession · West Virginia
- Florida Felon Cops to Gun Charge in Charleston Bust · West Virginia
- Charleston Felon Quinones Admits to Gun Possession · West Virginia
- Raleigh County Felon Gene A. James Sentenced in Gun Case · West Virginia
- Charleston Felon Ronald Sayles Cuffed for Gun Possession · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons