North Carolina gun store robberies lead to prison sentences for Norfolk men

NORFOLK, Va. – Two Norfolk men have been sentenced for federal firearms crimes.

According to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2021, Khari Terell Wood, 28, and others broke into Gale Force Guns in Moyock, North Carolina, and stole five firearms. On Oct. 22, 2021, Wood and others broke into the same Gale Force Guns store and stole 47 firearms. After each of the burglaries, Wood transported the stolen firearms from North Carolina to Norfolk.

On Oct. 28,2021, law enforcement found Wood in a stolen vehicle at his residence. As officers approached, Wood quickly exited and attempted to flee into the residence, but the officers were able to detain him. During subsequent searches of the stolen vehicle, officers recovered several firearms that were stolen in the Gale Force Guns burglaries.

On Nov. 26, 2021, Isaiah Malquawn Hopkins, 28, broke into the River View Market in Norfolk, using one of the handguns stolen from Gale Force Guns to shoot through a glass door. He then entered the store and stole a lottery ticket box. On March 14, 2022, Hopkins was stopped by the Indiana State Police for a traffic infraction. During a search of the vehicle, officers found the handgun near the driver seat.

Wood previously had been convicted of robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Hopkins previously had been convicted of robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit robbery, and malicious wounding. As convicted felons, Wood and Hopkins cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Hopkins pled guilty on June 24 to being a felon in possession of firearms. On Oct. 24 he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Wood pled guilty on June 25 to conspiracy and being a felon in possession of firearms. He was sentenced today to nine years and two months in prison.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; and Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock 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 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-33.