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Richmond felon who pulled semi-automatic handgun in dispute sentenced to 27 months

Crystal Graham
richmond virginia
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A Richmond man was sentenced this to two years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mario Leequan Thorne, 27, waved a semi-automatic handgun in the air at a convenience store during a verbal dispute.

According to court documents, on Jan. 26, 2024, Richmond Police officers found Thorne sitting in the driver seat of his vehicle where six young, unsecured children were inside.

Detectives asked Thorne to step out of the vehicle, detained him and conducted a sweep of the driver seat area.

Detectives recovered a handgun, 2.32 grams of fentanyl, 3.07 grams of cocaine and a digital scale.

In 2022, Thorne was convicted of possession of a concealed weapon. As a previously convicted felon, Thorne cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.