Two Portsmouth residents have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in federal firearms offenses, following an investigation into illegal gun trafficking.
Court documents indicate that between June and September 2024, law enforcement conducted six controlled purchases of firearms and heroin from Rolondo Lavar Moody, age 45. During one of these transactions on August 9, 2024, Kievon Anthony Whitehurst, age 30, transferred a rifle to Moody, who then sold the weapon.
Whitehurst had prior convictions for reckless handling of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and discharging a firearm near a school. Moody’s criminal history included convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, multiple assault charges including assault and battery of a family member, attempted malicious wounding, possession of controlled substances, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. As previously convicted felons, both men were prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Moody pleaded guilty on April 8 to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and trafficking in firearms. He received a sentence of ten years in prison on September 4. Whitehurst pleaded guilty on July 29 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison.
Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police announced the sentences.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc W. West prosecuted the case as part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative by the Department of Justice designed to address violent crime by coordinating resources through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
"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. 2:25-cr-50."
