Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Firearm

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man pleaded guilty today to felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Kenneth Pressley, 44, was a passenger in a vehicle that fled from Newport News Police officers on May 8, 2018, when officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Pressley ran from the vehicle and into the backyard of a residence on 23rd Street in Newport News.  An officer followed Pressley and observed him in the backyard bent over at the waist and heard the firearm discharge. After Pressley was taken into custody, officers recovered a Glock 23 .40 caliber firearm, containing 12 rounds of ammunition, as well as the bullet Pressley discharged on scene.  Pressley was previously convicted of two counts of attempted malicious wounding, malicious discharge of a firearm into an occupied building, and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Pressley pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when sentenced on Feb. 15, 2019. 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.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan M. Cowles prosecuted the case.

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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:18-cr-71.