RICHMOND, VA – Joseph Bush, 31, is headed back to prison for seven years after being sentenced today for illegally possessing a stolen firearm following a brutal domestic assault. The case, a grim illustration of the cycle of violence, unfolded in Richmond’s Gilpin Court last July and highlights the dangers faced by victims of domestic abuse.
Richmond Police Department officers responded to a frantic 911 call on July 28, 2022, from a woman claiming she’d been attacked by Bush. According to court documents, Bush allegedly hit the victim in the face and neck, scratched her wrist, and then smashed her phone when she attempted to call for help. Disturbingly, the victim also reported that Bush had previously pointed a firearm at her face earlier in the month – a chilling escalation of control and intimidation.
When officers arrived, Bush bolted. After a short foot chase, he was apprehended and a loaded Glock 9mm handgun was discovered tucked into his pants leg. The firearm was later determined to have been stolen three months prior. The search also revealed a stash of illegal narcotics – suboxone strips and cocaine – in Bush’s pocket, along with additional ammunition of two different calibers and a scale, suggesting potential drug dealing.
This wasn’t Bush’s first rodeo with the law. Court records reveal a lengthy criminal history including prior convictions for robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and being a violent felon in possession of a firearm. The current offense was committed a mere six months after his release from state prison and while he was still under the supervision of probation – a clear disregard for the law and a danger to the community.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, alongside ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai and Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards, announced the sentencing handed down by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Wright prosecuted the case, underscoring the federal commitment to tackling gun violence and holding offenders accountable.
The prosecution of Joseph Bush is part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated efforts between law enforcement and community organizations. The program emphasizes building trust, supporting preventative initiatives, and strategically focusing enforcement efforts – a much-needed approach in a city grappling with rising crime rates.
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