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Press Release

Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm After Ramming a Vehicle While Fleeing from Police

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on December 15, 2022, Derek Isenburg, 33, tried to flee from law enforcement officers who were attempting to take him into custody in Portsmouth on several outstanding arrest warrants. Upon seeing officers, he got into a truck, backed it into one police vehicle and rammed another as he tried to escape. After hitting one of the vehicles, Isenburg continued to accelerate in an attempt to move the car out of his way. Isenburg ultimately broke the drivetrain of the truck, rendering it inoperable, and officers were able to take him into custody.

A search of the truck resulted in the recovery of approximately 13 grams of pure methamphetamine and a firearm. Law enforcement learned that both the truck and firearm had been reported stolen. Isenburg has multiple prior felony convictions. Isenburg knew that as a previously convicted felon, it was illegal for him to possess a firearm.  

Isenburg is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Cheney and Kristin Bird are prosecuting the case.

Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force.

This case was part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Operation Overdrive, an initiative aimed at combatting the rising rates of drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths plaguing American communities. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-4.

Updated November 15, 2023

Topics
Firearms Offenses
Violent Crime