Organizer of Gun Sales Given Maximum Sentence for Trafficking in Stolen Firearms

Firearms were stolen during the course of numerous burglaries throughout Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina

NORFOLK, Va. – Direll Lamar Jackson, 30, of Suffolk, Virginia, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison, the maximum sentence, followed by 3 years of supervised release for possessing and concealing stolen firearms and being a felon in possession of firearms.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division Office made the announcement after the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

Jackson pled guilty to possessing and concealing stolen firearms and being a felon in possession of firearms on January 20, 2015. 

According to a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, in the autumn of 2014 Jackson was part of a conspiracy that was breaking into homes and cars in the area and stealing property, including firearms.  Soon after the burglaries, the conspirators would sell the stolen guns.  Jackson was the one responsible for reaching out to potential buyers, negotiating prices, and arranging the sales.  One of the potential buyers Jackson contacted was a confidential informant, who turned the information over to the DEA and ATF.  During the course of the investigation, DEA and ATF used an informant to purchase a total of nineteen firearms from Jackson and his co-conspirators.  On November 17, 2014, DEA and ATF executed a search warrant at the property where the gun transactions had been occurring and recovered a total of over twenty additional firearms.  The investigation has revealed that Jackson and his co-conspirators possessed at least forty-six firearms, thirty-nine of which have been confirmed to be stolen from numerous break-ins in Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina.  The losses to the victims from the larcenies and burglaries in this case exceed $70,000.  Jackson has been ordered to make full restitution as part of his sentence.

Co-defendants Lamonte Rashawn Willis and Travis Travel Scott will both be sentenced on May 14, 2015.  Both co-defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The burglaries were investigated by the City of Suffolk Police, Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office, Surry County Sheriff’s Office, and Gates County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Hudson is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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. 2:14-cr-178.