Waynesboro Teen Pleads Guilty to Stolen Gun on Blue Ridge Parkway

A 19-year-old Waynesboro man admitted in federal court yesterday to possessing a stolen firearm on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a crime that could land him behind bars for a decade. Miguel Angel Fernandez entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville, Virginia, on one count of knowingly possessing a stolen firearm, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle.

The incident unfolded on Sunday, September 11, 2016, when a U.S. Park Ranger approached a parked vehicle near milepost 41 in Rockbridge County. The ranger was investigating litter outside the car when he noticed the strong smell of alcohol coming from inside. As he questioned the passengers, his attention turned to Fernandez, who appeared visibly intoxicated and was sitting in the back seat.

During the encounter, the ranger spotted a suspicious bulge in Fernandez’s waistband. A closer inspection revealed a loaded Springfield Armory XD .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Records confirmed the weapon had been stolen just two days earlier from the glovebox of a vehicle in the region—immediately triggering federal charges.

Fernandez was taken into custody and read his Miranda rights. In a statement afterward, he admitted he knew the gun was stolen but claimed he was only holding it for a friend. He said he didn’t know who had taken it. That admission, however, was enough to secure the guilty plea on a federal firearms violation.

The National Park Service led the investigation, underscoring the reach of federal jurisdiction in national park areas like the Blue Ridge Parkway. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy S. Healey handled the prosecution, painting a clear picture of illegal gun possession in a public recreational zone.

Fernandez now faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he’s sentenced on May 8, 2017. The case serves as a stark reminder: even temporary possession of a stolen firearm on federal land carries severe consequences.