Farmville felon sentenced to over 13 years in prison for illegal firearm possession

RICHMOND, Va. - A Farmville man was sentenced today to 13 years and four months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on Oct. 31, 2023, an officer with the Richmond Police Department encountered Pierre Redd, 32, asleep in the driver seat of a vehicle stopped at an intersection in Richmond. The car was in drive at the time. The officer observed in plain view a loaded handgun between Redd's legs and a bag containing 15.3 grams of cocaine in Redd's hand.

The officer opened the driver-side door, removed the firearm and cocaine, and awakened Redd. The officer directed Redd to place the car in park, and then reached in and placed the car in park himself. The officer then directed Redd to exit the vehicle. After Redd repeatedly declined to comply, the officer placed a handcuff on Redd's left wrist. Redd then placed the car in drive and sped away.

The officer returned to his police vehicle and pursued Redd with his lights and siren engaged. As Redd attempted to flee, he ran numerous stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the street. Redd eventually pulled into an apartment complex, where he exited his vehicle without putting it in park. The officer eventually subdued and arrested Redd after a foot pursuit.

At the time of the offense, Redd had several previous felony convictions, including, among others, for attempted malicious wounding, reckless handling of a firearm, receiving a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault, forgery of public records, and possession of heroin. As a previously convicted felon, Redd cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

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; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. McGorman and Stephen W. Miller prosecuted 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 are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-56.