Portsmouth man sentenced to over three years in prison for straw-purchasing firearms

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced yesterday to three years and five months in prison for making false statements during the purchase of firearms.

According to court documents, between June 8, 2023, and Feb. 26, 2025, Isaiah Sincere Wilson, 24, straw-purchased several firearms for, among others, his drug dealer. Three of the firearms were used in acts of violence that spanned multiple states. Several of the firearms remain unaccounted for. Wilson made these purchases from licensed dealers while knowingly making false statements to conceal that the firearms would be purchased for another person.

Wilson and his drug dealer discussed Wilson signing up for a course to obtain a concealed-handgun permit, which would allow Wilson to carry a concealed firearm and purchase more than one handgun per month. They also discussed reducing the price of Wilson's marijuana purchases in exchange for straw-purchasing a firearm.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton D. LaForge, former Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Marek, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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. 2:25-cr-87.