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Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of Virginia
Christopher R. Kavanaugh, United States Attorney
www.justice.gov/usao-wdva
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 18, 2023

Martinsville Man Sentenced to 48 Months for Illegal Gun Possession

ROANOKE, Va. – A Martinsville, Virginia man, who police found lying next to a vehicle and unconscious, was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

David Charles Donavon Jr., 35, pled guilty in March to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously-convicted felon.

According to court documents, in July 2022, Martinsville Police officers were called to check on a man lying next to a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers observed Donovan lying unconscious on the ground.

While police were checking on his well-being, they observed a 9mm semiautomatic pistol inserted into his waistband with a magazine containing 15 rounds of ammunition. Further investigation into his identity revealed that Donovan was a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing a firearm.  

U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Martinsville Police Department investigated the case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case.

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