Previously convicted Petersburg felon returning to prison for latest firearm crime

RICHMOND, Va. - A Petersburg man was sentenced today to five years and 11 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on Oct. 4, 2025, Richmond Police Officers responded to a report of random gunfire in the area of Gilpin Court. When officers arrived, they observed Tynell Jones, 34, discharge a firearm three times. Jones was immediately detained. The firearm had a round in the chamber and was equipped with a 30-round magazine with 10 rounds remaining.

Jones was previously convicted of, among other crimes, assault, assault and battery, and possession of controlled substances. As a convicted felon, Jones cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition. Jones was convicted in 2018 in the Eastern District of Virginia for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gilliland and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah Johansen prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 3:26-cr-6.