Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Roanoke Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA – A Roanoke man, who came to be in possession of firearms stolen from a local home last summer, pled guilty today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke, United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. announced today.
Brian Collins, 43, of Roanoke, Virginia, pled guilty today to one count of being a previously convicted felon illegally in possession of a firearm.
“This case, like so many others we prosecute, involves a prohibited user possessing a firearm, something that we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat,” United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. said today. “I firmly believe that keeping illegal guns off our streets is an important step in keeping our communities safe and we continue to work every day toward that goal.”
According to evidence presented at today’s hearing by Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day, on August 24, 2015 a home in Vinton, Virginia was burglarized and at least six firearms were stolen. Following a thorough investigation by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, it was determined that Collins, who was not involved in the burglary, was in possession of some of the firearms taken during the burglary.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day prosecuted the case for the United States.
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