Felon Who Fired Pistol in Residential Neighborhood Convicted on Federal Charges for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

ROANOKE, VA – A federal jury convicted a Roanoke man for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

Robert Overstreet II, 31, was previously convicted for malicious wounding, attempted burglary, and distribution of methamphetamine.  Overstreet also had a disqualifying misdemeanor conviction for assault and battery on a family member.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on December 14, 2022, a detective with the City of Roanoke Police Department saw Overstreet fire a pistol from an SUV parked in the 1200 block of Hanover Avenue NW.  Police stopped the SUV and found a pistol in the driver’s lap.  Forensic analysis revealed gunshot residue on both of Overstreet’s hands.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Washington Field Division, made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the City of Roanoke Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Andrew Bassford, Lee S. Brett and Drew O. Inman prosecuted the case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.