NORFOLK

A Franklin man was sentenced on Monday to more than seven years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to straw-purchase firearms. This information comes from the office of U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger for the Eastern District of Virginia.

According to court documents, Khary Deshun Smith, 25, and several co-defendants were members of a conspiracy that straw-purchased at least seven firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in Franklin.

Smith, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to earlier federal felony convictions, illegally purchased a firearm with the assistance of his co-defendant, Larry Parrish, who straw-purchased the firearm from a federally licensed gun store.

In another instance, Smith stole a firearm from his girlfriend, loaded it with an extended magazine, and used it in a firefight with enemy gang members. When law enforcement executed the arrest warrant issued in this case, they discovered a third firearm tucked under a chair cushion in Smith’s living room within arms’ reach of minors.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Terwilliger and Interim Franklin Police Chief Robert Porti made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar. Assistant U.S. Attorney William B. Jackson prosecuted the case. Also present at the announcement were Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; and Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Norfolk;

Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on ACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-150-2.