Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today that a Chesapeake man, Christopher Lee Alexander, has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for illegally possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon. This successful prosecution is a result of the efforts of Operation Ceasefire, a partnership between local and federal agencies aimed at keeping repeat offenders off the streets and ensuring the safety of our communities.
The incident took place on June 6, 2021, when a Chesapeake police officer approached Alexander's vehicle from behind, mistakenly believing that he was attempting to pull him over. In an attempt to flee, Alexander accelerated his vehicle to a high rate of speed but ultimately lost control and crashed into a power pole, coming to rest in a business parking lot. As officers apprehended Alexander after a foot chase, they discovered two firearms in plain view on the driver's side floorboard. Alexander admitted to the officers that he was aware of his status as a convicted felon and that he was in possession of the firearms.
It was later revealed that Alexander had a history of felony convictions, including robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit robbery, wearing a mask in public while committing robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Additionally, he was facing an unrelated felony eluding charge at the time of this offense.
Attorney General Miyares expressed his gratitude for the partnership with local and federal agencies, which enabled Ceasefire prosecutors to focus on high-crime cities and achieve successful prosecutions. He stated, "In order to keep our communities safe, we have to keep the repeat offenders committing the vast majority of violent crime off our streets."
The case was prosecuted by Virginia Assistant Attorney General, Ceasefire prosecutor, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc West. This conviction serves as a reminder of the commitment of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to ensuring the safety and security of the citizens of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For media inquiries, please contact Attorney General Miyares' office at (804) 786-2071.