A Danville man who previously pled guilty to the illegal sale of a firearm to a convicted felon at a local flea market was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. James Calvin Wilson, 67, sold a 9mm semi-automatic pistol to a confidential informant who was a convicted felon at a flea market in October 2012.
Wilson, who had previously been approached by undercover officers with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, admitted to selling handguns and a shotgun out of the trunk of his car. Over the course of several weeks, undercover officers purchased 12 guns from Wilson at his home in Danville.
According to the investigation, Wilson was aware that the informant was a convicted felon and still proceeded to sell him the firearm for $500. This reckless behavior endangered public safety and put the community at risk.
United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy emphasized the importance of keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons. “Keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons is a crucial part of protecting our communities,” Heaphy said. “This defendant endangered public safety by making a gun available to an individual prohibited by law from owning a firearm.”
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Bubar is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Wilson’s sentence of 18 months in federal prison serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of selling firearms to individuals who are prohibited from owning them. The prosecution of this case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to keeping guns out of the wrong hands.
Danville, Virginia – August 2012: Wilson first approached undercover officers with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and attempted to sell handguns and a shotgun out of the trunk of his car.
Defendant Information:
Defendant Name: James Calvin Wilson
Age: 67
City and State: Danville, Virginia
Criminal Charge: Selling a firearm to a person who had previously been convicted of a felony
Sentence: 18 months in federal prison
Date: October 2012 (flea market sale)
Amount: $500 (sale price of the firearm)
Related Federal Cases
- Frederick Forson-Peebles, Jr., Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Virginia 2016 · Virginia
- Dakota Zachary Williams, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, West Virginia 2019 · Virginia
- Azontay Malik Perry, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Virginia 2024 · Virginia
- Justin L. Saunders, Felon in Possession of Firearm, West Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- Jalen O. Thomas, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2023 · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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