Two men from Portsmouth have received prison sentences for their involvement in federal firearms trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Court documents state that between June and September 2024, law enforcement conducted six controlled purchases of firearms and heroin from Rolondo Lavar Moody, 45. During one transaction on August 9, 2024, Kievon Anthony Whitehurst, 30, transferred a rifle to Moody, who then sold it.
Both Whitehurst and Moody were previously convicted felons. 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, assault-related charges, attempted malicious wounding, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As such, neither was legally allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
Moody pleaded guilty on April 8 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and trafficking in firearms. He was sentenced on September 4 to ten years in prison. 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 of 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 Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts such as Project Safe Neighborhood (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.”
