Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
A Richmond man, Randel Douglas Hoggard, was found guilty by a federal jury on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This conviction stems from incidents that took place over the course of two years.
Court records and evidence presented at the trial indicate that on January 12, 2022, the Richmond Police Department's Youth and Family Crimes Unit conducted an investigation at 3443 Walmsley Avenue. During this operation, they discovered that Hoggard and his significant other had outstanding arrest warrants. The U.S. Marshals assisted in arresting the couple at their apartment.
Following the arrest, police obtained a search warrant for items relevant to their investigation. They discovered multiple firearms and signs of narcotics trafficking in the residence. A subsequent search led to the recovery of four firearms, ammunition, digital scales, and drug paraphernalia. At that time, Hoggard was already a convicted felon and legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Further developments occurred on January 16, 2024, when the Chesterfield County Police Department's Homicide Unit executed another search warrant at an apartment located at 3447 Walmsley Avenue. This operation involved assistance from various law enforcement agencies including Richmond Police Department (RPD), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Virginia State Police. During this search, investigators found a loaded .40 caliber handgun hidden within a closet door void along with .40 caliber ammunition and suspected drugs in Hoggard's bedroom.
Hoggard has been detained since his arrest on January 16, 2024. He now faces up to ten years in prison for the charges related to 2022 events and up to fifteen years for those connected to the 2024 incident. However, federal crime sentences are often less than maximum penalties; any final sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines among other statutory factors.
The announcement of this conviction was made by Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood from ATF's Washington Field Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Col. Edward F. Carpenter Jr., Chief of Chesterfield County Police after U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Stephen E. Anthony and Janet Jin Ah Lee are leading prosecution efforts in this case.
For further information regarding this case or related court documents can be accessed through resources provided by U.S Attorney’s Office for Eastern District Virginia or District Court Eastern District Virginia websites using Case No: 3:24-cr-66.