Lynchburg Felon Gets 6 Years for Packing Heat

LYNCHBURG, VA – Shawn Vernol Preston, 54, of Lynchburg is heading to federal prison for six years after a high-speed foot chase revealed he was illegally carrying a loaded .45 caliber pistol. The sentencing, handed down today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, sends a clear message: convicted felons aren’t getting away with possessing firearms in this district.

United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. announced the 72-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. This case, Fishwick stated, underscores his commitment to removing illegal guns from Lynchburg streets. “Individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms must not be allowed to possess weapons, period. When they do, our communities are less safe and law enforcement must get involved,” he declared.

The incident unfolded on December 18, 2015. A Lynchburg police officer, responding to a report of a man seen with a gun, spotted Preston, who matched the description. Instead of cooperating with a simple pat-down, Preston bolted. The officer initiated a pursuit, and during the chase, observed Preston reaching into his waistband and producing a silver-slide pistol.

Preston ditched the firearm behind a row of houses before the officer could continue pursuit due to low lighting and being alone. Despite losing sight of the gun, officers quickly secured the area. A subsequent search uncovered the loaded .45, complete with a black grip, lying on the ground where Preston had fled. The quick action of the Lynchburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was crucial in recovering the weapon and building the case.

Preston previously pled guilty to one count of unlawful transport of a firearm. The evidence presented in court painted a clear picture of a man knowingly violating federal law. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh, working alongside Fishwick, successfully prosecuted the case, securing the significant sentence.

This conviction serves as a stark warning to others contemplating similar actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal prosecutions in Virginia, exposing the underbelly of crime and holding offenders accountable. The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF and the Lynchburg Police Department, demonstrating the power of interagency cooperation in keeping communities safe.