Roanoke Man Sentenced on Federal Gun Charge   LYNCHBURG, VA (August 10, 2016) - A Roanoke man, who came to be in possession of firearms stolen from a local home last summer, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg, United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. announced. Brian Collins, 43, of Roanoke, Virginia, previously pled guilty to one count of being a previously convicted felon illegally in possession of a firearm. Today in District Court he was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison. “We must continue to do all we can to keep guns out of the hands of prohibited users,” United States Attorney Fishwick said today. “I firmly believe that keeping illegal guns off our streets is an important step in keeping our communities safe and we continue to work every day toward that goal.” According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day, on August 24, 2015 a home in Vinton, Virginia was burglarized and at least six firearms were stolen. Following a thorough investigation by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, it was determined that Collins, who was not involved in the burglary, was in possession of some of the firearms taken during the burglary. The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day prosecuted the case for the United States.

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