Danville Man Sentenced On Gun Charge

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA – A Danville man who previously pled guilty to the illegal sale of a firearm to a convicted felon at a local flea market, was sentenced this afternoon in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Danville.

James Calvin Wilson, 67, of Danville, Va., previously pled guilty to one count of selling a firearm to a person who had previously been convicted of a felony. This afternoon in District Court, Wilson was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.

“Keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons is a crucial part of protecting our communities,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “This defendant endangered public safety by making a gun available to an individual prohibited by law from owning a firearm. We will continue to do all we can to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons while also protecting the second amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners.”

Previously, Wilson admitted that in August 2012 he first approached undercover officers with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and attempted to sell handguns and a shotgun out of the trunk of his car. Over the course of several weeks, undercover officers purchased 12 guns from Wilson at his home in Danville.

In October 2012, a confidential informant, who is a convicted felon and working with law enforcement, approached Wilson at a flea market regarding the purchase of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The confidential informant told Wilson he could not purchase a gun from a gun store because he was a convicted felon. Upon hearing this, Wilson raised his hand to the informant and told him “don’t tell me that.” Wilson proceeded to sell the firearm to the informant for $500.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Bubar is prosecuting the case for the United States.