Home Virginia man sentenced to prison for possession of firearms, ammo, explosive device
Public Safety, Virginia

Virginia man sentenced to prison for possession of firearms, ammo, explosive device

Crystal Graham
police lights at night
(© TheaDesign – stock.adobe.com)

A North Tazewell man was sentenced this week to 57 months in federal prison for having firearms, ammunition and an explosive bomb at his residence.

Timothy Wader Mitchell Jr., 45, who possessed seven firearms, more than 100 rounds of ammunition, an explosive detonator and a destructive device, was sentenced this week to 57 months in federal prison.

Mitchell pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an explosive device by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on May 22, 2022, law enforcement responded to the Mitchell residence to serve an outstanding warrant on Sandra Mitchell, Timothy Mitchell’s wife.

While at the residence, deputies observed a methamphetamine pipe and several other drug paraphernalia items.

After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, deputies discovered a small quantity of methamphetamine, seven firearms consisting of five long guns and two handguns, more than 100 rounds of ammunition, an electric blasting cap, a fuse and a destructive device categorized by experts as an explosive bomb.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Virginia State Police and the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

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 nearly 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. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.