Maryland inmate faces up to 15 years in prison for gun possession in Virginia

A Maryland man admitted Tuesday to illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon in Virginia.

Damontae James Garner, a 24-year-old resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 20, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed.

According to court documents, Garner was behind the wheel of a stolen Cadillac in Virginia on November 8, 2023, when a Virginia State Police trooper observed him recklessly changing lanes. The trooper decided to initiate a traffic stop, but Garner chose to speed up instead.

Garner and an unidentified passenger were documented as having fled the stolen car. They managed to travel a short distance on foot before being arrested by state police.

Authorities discovered a backpack containing a 7.62 caliber semi-automatic firearm in the Cadillac. According to court documents, the weapon was loaded with 26 rounds of ammunition.

Garner confessed to possessing the gun on Tuesday and admitted it was his. Because he is a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm. Garner is scheduled to receive his sentencing on January 8, 2025, which could carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

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