Norfolk Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of Ammunition Charge

NORFOLK, Va. – Wesley Paul Hadsell, 37, of Norfolk, pleaded guilty today to the charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

In a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Hadsell admitted that on Dec. 23, 2013, he purchased ammunition at Bob’s Gun Shop in Norfolk.  He further admitted that on Dec. 31, 2013, he took that ammunition to a gun range in Chesapeake where he and other individuals utilized some of the ammunition and Hadsell retained possession of approximately 80 rounds of ammunition after the trip to the range.  Hadsell also admitted to several prior felony convictions.

Hadsell will be sentenced on March 18, 2016. At sentencing, the Court will determine whether the nature of Hadsell’s prior felony convictions renders him subject to the enhanced penalties pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act.  If the Court determines that Hadsell is subject to those enhanced penalties, Hadsell faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. If the Court determines that Hadsell does not meet the criteria of the Armed Career Criminal Act, Hadsell faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Michael Goldsmith, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright-Allen.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Hatch is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:15-cr-116.

###