U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber | U.S. Department of Justice
A Richmond man has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on January 26, 2024, Richmond Police observed Mario Leequan Thorne, aged 27, involved in a verbal dispute at a convenience store. During the incident, Thorne reportedly removed a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and waved it.
When additional officers arrived at the scene, they found Thorne seated in the driver's seat of his vehicle with six young children inside. Officers asked him to exit the vehicle and detained him. A search of the driver’s area revealed a handgun, Thorne's Virginia ID, 2.32 grams of fentanyl, 3.07 grams of cocaine, and a digital scale.
Thorne was previously convicted in 2022 for possession of a concealed weapon. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The sentencing announcement was made by 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; Colette Wallace McEachin, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Groover from the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Wright.
Additional information can be found on the websites of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or through PACER under Case No. 3:24-cr-69.
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