Kenya McChell Chapman, 32, of Smithfield, Virginia, faced federal court today, charged with dealing in firearms without a license and making false statements on three counts. The ATF tied him to the firearm used in the March 12 Old Dominion University (ODU) shooting.
The Biden Department of Justice’s decision not to prosecute Chapman previously was slammed by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who emphasized that the DOJ punishes crime rather than letting it slide.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted the importance of ATF and FBI agents’ relentless efforts in apprehending this safety threat. FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to track down anyone who traffics weapons to felons.
The shooting suspect, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, killed one and wounded two during an ROTC class. Chapman is accused of stealing the firearm from a Newport News vehicle and selling it to Jalloh just before the attack. Jalloh had a history of attempting to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Chapman also faces charges for purchasing three firearms recovered from crime scenes, including a homicide and a public intoxication incident. If convicted, he could serve up to 35 years in prison.
The ATF’s Norfolk Field Office and the FBI are investigating, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke Bresnahan and Rebecca Gantt leading the prosecution. Chapman is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release ↗
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