James Anthony Nolan, Possessing Unregistered Firearm, Virginia 2023

ROANOKE, VA – A routine welfare check on the Blue Ridge Parkway turned up more than just a concerned ranger – it revealed a Collinsville man packing a seriously modified and illegal weapon. James Anthony Nolan, 28, pled guilty yesterday to knowingly possessing an unregistered firearm, a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun, according to federal prosecutors.

The trouble started in March when a National Park Ranger spotted Nolan’s black Toyota Scion hogging two parking spaces at the Roanoke River Trail. A simple check on the vehicle’s occupant quickly escalated when the Ranger detected the unmistakable smell of marijuana. While admitting to possessing the weed, Nolan unwittingly opened the door to a far more serious investigation.

A search of the Scion uncovered a backpack crammed with over 50 rounds of assorted ammunition and the illegally altered Derya Arms Tradition 12-gauge shotgun. The weapon, measuring a mere 21 inches in length with a 10-inch barrel, was clearly modified – black electrical tape was wrapped around the buttstock, a clear attempt to conceal the shortening. Seven spent 12-gauge shells were also found, suggesting the gun had recently been fired.

Nolan confessed to purchasing the shotgun and deliberately sawing down the barrel, but offered a flimsy excuse about it being part of a “project.” Federal law doesn’t buy that. Possessing an unregistered firearm, especially one so drastically altered, is a serious offense. The ATF and National Park Service quickly took over the investigation, building a solid case against the Collinsville man.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh announced the guilty plea, signaling a swift and decisive prosecution. Nolan now faces a January 8, 2024 sentencing hearing, where he could receive up to 10 years in federal prison and a hefty $10,000 fine. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section.

This case serves as a stark reminder that illegal weapons, particularly those modified to enhance their concealability and lethality, won’t be tolerated on federal lands. Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai of the ATF’s Washington Division emphasized the agency’s commitment to cracking down on such offenses, working alongside partners like the National Park Service to keep communities safe. The Blue Ridge Parkway might be a scenic escape, but it’s not a haven for illegal firearms.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

Isaiah Wise, Gun Possession by Felon, Pennsylvania 2024

Apr 8, 2026

Weapons

James Darosa, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Rhode Island 2023

Apr 9, 2026

Weapons

Andre Dominique Barnes, Loaded Firearm Possession, Florida 2024

Jul 29, 2025

Weapons

Nicholas Kingsley, Stockpiling Illegal Firearms, Massachusetts 2023

Jan 5, 2009