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

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.