Wesley Paul Hadsell, 38, of Norfolk, Virginia, is headed to federal prison for 240 months after being sentenced on charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition. The sentence, handed down today by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen, marks the latest chapter in a long criminal saga for a man already tied to burglary, bank robbery, and felonious restraint.
Hadsell pleaded guilty on November 6, 2015, admitting he bought ammunition at Bob’s Gun Shop in Norfolk on December 23, 2013. Days later, on December 31, he took that ammunition to a gun range in Chesapeake, where he and others fired rounds. He kept approximately 80 unused rounds—possession that would later land him behind bars for two decades.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Bosse and former Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Hatch. Federal authorities emphasized that Hadsell’s criminal history—spanning at least 10 prior felony convictions—triggered the Armed Career Criminal Act, mandating a minimum 15-year sentence. The court showed no leniency, imposing the full 20-year term.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, called the sentence a necessary blow against violent recidivists. “Hadsell has repeatedly chosen crime over compliance,” Boente said. “His access to ammunition poses a clear threat to public safety. This sentence reflects the seriousness of that danger.”
Michael Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, confirmed the investigation began with routine firearms purchase records that flagged Hadsell’s prohibited status. “Felonies don’t expire,” Boxler said. “When someone with Hadsell’s rap sheet buys ammo, it’s not a mistake—it’s a ticking time bomb.”
The case, documented under Case No. 2:15-cr-116, is publicly accessible via the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and PACER. With this conviction, Hadsell vanishes into the federal system, leaving behind a trail of gunpowder, broken laws, and the cold certainty of two decades in lockup.
Related Federal Cases
- Antonio Patterson Gets 7 Years for Felon Firearm Possession · Washington
- Richmond Felon Gets 2.5 Years for Illegal Gun Possession · Washington
- Xavier Greene Gets 10 Years in 30-Gun Heist · Washington
- Isaiah Green Gets 50 Months for Trafficking 31 Guns to DC · Maryland
- Charles Lorenzo Harris Gets 6+ Years for Gunfire Standoff · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons