A mother and son from Newport News, Virginia, were sentenced to prison on January 20 for their involvement in a firearms conspiracy. Devonte Jermaine Kelley, 24, and Lalita Jane Owens, 45, used online platforms such as Armslist to arrange and negotiate illegal firearms transactions.
Court records show that Kelley was responsible for dealing 23 firearms valued at over $12,000. Owens purchased 16 of these weapons before Kelley turned 21, which is the legal age to buy handguns. Both individuals provided false information on federal forms during purchases from licensed dealers by claiming to be the actual buyers.
Authorities linked several of the firearms obtained by Kelley and Owens to crimes involving Kelley's associates. Some of these associates are members of the Walk Down Gang.
Kelley pleaded guilty on August 21, 2025, and received a sentence of three years and four months in prison. Owens pleaded guilty on August 26, 2025, and was sentenced to two years and six months.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Podlesni and Peter Osyf prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative that brings together Department of Justice resources to address violent crime through coordinated programs like Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Further details about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 4:25-cr-34.
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