NORFOLK, VA – Another thug off the streets. Louis Bernard Lee, III, 26, of Norfolk, Virginia, received a 5-year federal prison sentence today for being a convicted felon illegally packing heat. The case highlights the continuing problem of gang violence and illegal firearms plaguing Hampton Roads.
The bust originated with a routine traffic stop. On May 7, 2021, an Old Dominion University Police Department (ODUPD) officer pulled Lee over for speeding. It quickly became clear this wasn’t just a traffic violation. Lee was already wanted on an outstanding warrant for an attempted malicious wounding that went down on April 26, 2021. A search of Lee’s vehicle turned up not one, but two firearms. Authorities also recovered a high-capacity 30-round extended clip and a massive 50-round drum magazine – enough firepower to cause serious damage.
Lee, identified as a former affiliate of the notorious United Blood Nation gang, wasn’t a first-timer. He’d already been convicted of a felony in Norfolk, making firearm possession a clear violation of federal law. But the story doesn’t end there. Lee readily admitted to using one of the recovered firearms in the April 26th shooting. Norfolk Circuit Court had already convicted him for that incident, slapping him with charges of attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He received a 4-year sentence for those state charges on December 22, 2021 – a sentence that clearly wasn’t enough to deter him.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi, and Christopher Amon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division, jointly announced the sentencing. U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen handed down the 5-year federal sentence, adding to Lee’s existing state prison term.
The prosecution team, led by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle and Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler, built a solid case against Lee. Stolle also serves as an Assistant Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney, demonstrating the coordinated effort between federal and local law enforcement. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a program focused on reducing violent crime by targeting the most dangerous offenders and investing in community-based prevention programs.
Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in Norfolk and beyond. For those interested in further details, a press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Eastern District of Virginia. Court documents can be found on the District Court website or through PACER, searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-85.
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Related Federal Cases
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- Dumfries Man Gets 10 Years for Cocaine, Gun Crimes · Washington
- Chesapeake Felon Wyche Sentenced for Gun Possession · Washington
- DC’s McCutchen Gets One-Year Sentence for Illegal Gun Purchase · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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