Newport News Man Convicted For His Involvement In Hampton Shootout

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Ryan Fultz, 33, of Newport News, Va., was convicted today by a federal jury of possessing and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and felon in possession of a firearm.

            Dana J. Boente, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Royce E. Curtin, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, and, Terry L. Sult Hampton Police Chief, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Henry C. Morgan, Jr.

            Fultz was indicted on March 13, 2013 on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine, possession, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.

            According to court records, and evidence at trial, on December 27, 2011, Fultz was present during a planned drug deal in the Wal Mart parking lot located at Cunningham Drive, Hampton, Va.  Fultz provided back-up to a drug dealer and when a dispute arose, he participated in a shootout with two other individuals. Fultz discharged a Bushmaster AR-15 high powered rifle during the shooting in which more than 30 shots were exchanged as evidenced by shell casings recovered at the scene.  Fultz is the third participant federally prosecuted as a result of this incident. Fultz faces a minimum of ten years on his firearm conviction but due to his status as a career criminal, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced on  May 22, 2014.

            This case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Hampton Police Division and ATF’s Washington Field Division. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy R. Murphy prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.