Jon Terry, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Virginia 2024

RICHMOND, VA – Jon Terry, 38, of Richmond, Virginia, is headed to federal prison for over six years after being convicted of possessing a firearm despite a lengthy criminal record. Terry was sentenced to 77 months behind bars on Thursday, February 15, 2024, by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.

The bust went down May 24, 2023, in the Six Points area of Richmond. Richmond Police Department officers on foot patrol spotted Terry and two others attempting to inflate a minibike. A quick glance revealed what officers described as the tell-tale bulge of a handgun in Terry’s pocket. When officers attempted to approach him, Terry bolted, initiating a foot chase. He was quickly apprehended and a loaded SCCY 9mm handgun was recovered.

This wasn’t Terry’s first rodeo with the law, far from it. Court records show a substantial criminal history including prior convictions for distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and another charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also previously convicted of grand larceny, painting a picture of a repeat offender with a clear disregard for the law.

Federal prosecutors, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen V. Hubbard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman, successfully argued that Terry’s actions posed a significant threat to public safety. The case was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai, and the Richmond Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Rick Edwards.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jessica D. Aber, and Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares announced the sentencing, emphasizing the commitment of their offices to tackling gun violence. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a program designed to bring together law enforcement at all levels and community organizations to reduce violent crime.

The PSN strategy, relaunched in 2021, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention groups, prioritizing enforcement efforts, and meticulously tracking results. For Terry, however, the results are clear: over six years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, adding to a record that demonstrates a consistent pattern of criminal behavior. Case No. 3:23-cr-108 is a matter of public record.

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