A Hopewell man, Azontay Malik Perry, 27, has been sentenced to five years and five months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The incident took place on Nov. 19, 2022, when Perry was found passed out in the driver's seat of a BMW with the engine running in Hopewell, Virginia.
According to court documents, Hopewell Police officers discovered Perry in the intersection of Ashland Street and Oaklawn Boulevard. Perry ignored commands, drove into a parked police vehicle, attempted to flee at high speed, and eventually crashed into a dumpster at an apartment complex before fleeing on foot. A .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine containing 27 rounds of ammunition was found in the vehicle. Subsequently, officers also found 18 grams of methamphetamine and 10.84 grams of fentanyl after obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle.
As a previously convicted felon, Perry was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Perry had a history of convictions dating back to 2016, including possession of drugs, possession of a concealed weapon, and driving offenses. In 2019, he was once again convicted of possession of drugs and driving on a suspended license.
The announcement of Perry's sentencing was made by Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Greg Taylor, Chief of Hopewell Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon E. Schulz.
Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson presided over the sentencing. More information about the case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The Commonwealth of Virginia's Office of the Attorney General provided contact information for media inquiries and other services related to consumer protection, victim notification, and reporting of fraud.