NORFOLK, VA – Earlon Delton Mitchell, 33, of Norfolk, is facing over a decade behind bars after being sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for a brazen shooting and subsequent gun possession offenses. The sentence, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis, reflects a pattern of escalating violence and disregard for the law, according to federal prosecutors.
The trouble began on March 27, 2021, barely nine months after Mitchell’s release from a previous federal prison stint for – you guessed it – being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court documents reveal Mitchell returned to the scene of his prior arrest and immediately began assaulting a woman. When another woman intervened, attempting to stop the attack, Mitchell escalated the situation, brandishing a firearm and forcing her to flee. Undeterred, he then opened fire on the fleeing woman, missing her but striking two parked cars with multiple rounds. Shell casings recovered at the scene quickly linked him to the shooting.
As if that weren’t enough, almost exactly a year later, while still on federal supervised release, Mitchell revisited the same location. This time, Norfolk Police officers spotted him and attempted to initiate contact. Mitchell promptly bolted, leading officers on a foot chase. In a desperate attempt to ditch evidence, he tossed a loaded, stolen firearm to the ground as he ran. Officers apprehended Mitchell, recovering the weapon along with 40 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana packaged in three separate baggies, and $115 in cash.
The case was spearheaded by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Jackson, with crucial support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon, and the Norfolk Police Department, under Interim Chief Mike Goldsmith. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jessica D. Aber, announced the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Mitchell’s actions and the commitment to keeping the community safe.
Federal officials highlighted that this case is part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships. PSN aims to address the root causes of violence and provide resources for both prevention and re-entry programs.
Mitchell’s 151-month sentence serves as a stark warning to others contemplating similar criminal activity. Court documents and further information related to Case No. 2:22-cr-65 can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia websites, as well as through the PACER system. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on its implications for public safety in Norfolk.
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