Norfolk Man with Felony Record Sentenced to 2 Years for Fleeing Traffic Stop After Officers Found Him in Possession of Firearm, Marijuana
NORFOLK, Va. – Today, 43-year-old Aaron Phillips was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to an active two years in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, and eluding police following a traffic stop earlier this year.
On March 24, 2023, Norfolk Police officers initiated a traffic stop on Mr. Phillips in the 2800 block of East Princes Anne Road after seeing that his temporary tags were expired and that his license plate cover was too dark. An officer noticed a silver firearm on the floor of Mr. Phillips’ vehicle next to his feet. As Mr. Phillips bent forward, officers warned him not reach for the weapon and ordered him to exit the vehicle. Mr. Phillips then put the car in reverse and fled from the traffic stop. The officers pursued Mr. Phillips first by car and then by foot after Mr. Phillips stopped in the 1400 block of Shelton Avenue and exited his vehicle. When officers apprehended Mr. Phillips, they recovered his firearm as well as several ounces of marijuana, a digital scale, and clear baggies from the backseat of his vehicle.
Mr. Phillips has a prior Norfolk conviction from 2020 of felony possession of a controlled substance, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
On Thursday, Mr. Phillips pleaded guilty to eluding police, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, and Judge Joseph C. Lindsey accepted his plea. Pursuant to Mr. Phillips’ plea agreement, Judge Lindsey sentenced him to two active years in prison, with an additional six years suspended on the conditions that Mr. Phillips complete three years of uniform good behavior and one year of supervised probation.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Gordon C. Ufkes prosecuted Mr. Phillips’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
###