Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
A Richmond man has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for illegal firearm possession. Marcellus Cheatham, 26, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred on April 25, 2024, when officers from the Richmond Police Department interacted with a group outside apartment homes in Creighton Court. During this interaction, an officer noticed a baggie containing white powder fall from Cheatham's jacket pocket. Upon retrieving the baggie and attempting to detain Cheatham, the officer discovered a loaded firearm in his waistband. Further investigation revealed that Cheatham had a razor, 21.77 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, and 5.73 grams of crystalline material containing cocaine.
Cheatham has previous convictions for robbery, attempted robbery, and using a firearm during a felony. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The sentencing announcement was made by Erik S. Siebert, 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. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Joseph McGorman.
For further details about this case or related documents, visit the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or search Case No. 3:24-cr-128 on PACER.
