Virginia Beach Man Sentenced for Firearm Possession

State of VA - A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison. Khyri Jamar Whitehead, 33, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing follows an incident observed by law enforcement earlier this year.

According to court documents, Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) officers observed Whitehead on May 25, 2024. He was seen removing a handgun from the trunk of a vehicle.

Whitehead then placed the weapon in the front of his waistband and concealed it under his shirt. Officers monitored him until he entered another vehicle as a passenger.

A traffic stop was subsequently conducted, during which officers removed Whitehead from the vehicle and recovered the firearm.

Whitehead is identified as a member of the Bounty Hunter Watts gang and has 18 previous felony convictions. Under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division and the Virginia Beach Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Bresnahan and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative utilizes Department of Justice resources to address violent crime in communities.

The operation coordinates efforts and resources from the Department's Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).