Israel Maleek Mangram, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Virginia 2024

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man is headed to prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Israel Maleek Mangram, 23, was convicted of robbery on Aug. 5, 2020. As a previously convicted felon, Mangram cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

On Feb. 28, 2024, Mangram failed to maintain his lane while driving on Interstate 95. A Trooper with Virginia State Police ran the information on the vehicle and learned that the owner had a suspended driver’s license. The Trooper could not see the driver, so he initiated a traffic stop to investigate.

Mangram pulled the vehicle onto the right shoulder of the interstate but did not stop. Mangram returned to the travel lanes of the interstate and increased his speed to over 100 mph. After a high-speed chase, Mangram lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a single-family home.

Mangram tried to climb out of the passenger-side window. The Trooper approached Mangram, who was lying next to the passenger-side of the SUV and ordered Mangram to show his hands. Lying next to Mangram was a handgun.

Mangram is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Mangram is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The maximum penalty for the crime is 15 years in prison, but actual sentences are typically less.