Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Two Men Convicted of Burglarizing Firearms Dealers
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted two local men today of conspiracy and theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Preston G. Holmes III, 23, and Matthew D. Jones, 23, participated in the burglary of a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Chantilly, where they stole 35 handguns. Holmes and Jones were also involved in attempted thefts of firearms from FFLs in Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg.
Holmes and Jones each face up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on Sept. 12, 2017. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Chief of Fairfax County Police; Roger L. Harris, Spotsylvania County Sheriff; and David W. Nye, Chief of Fredericksburg Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Rich and Alexander Blanchard are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-67.