Local man is found guilty of gun offense

A Wise County man has been convicted of possessing a firearm after a domestic violence conviction.

Dwayne Andre Adams, 38, of Wise, was found guilty recently following a two-day jury trial in federal court, according to a Monday press release from U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring.

According to evidence presented at trial, Adams became involved in a domestic altercation on Dec. 25, 2017, and recklessly handled a .45 caliber Hi-Point firearm.
Upon responding to a call of shots fired, Wise County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered evidence of shots being fired from multiple weapons, including in the vehicle of Adams’ wife. A domestic violence protective order was secured and Adams’ wife and two minor children were escorted from the residence.
The next day, Adams was arrested and found to be in possession of a .45 caliber Hi-Point firearm. He later pleaded guilty to recklessly handling that firearm.

A review of Adams’ criminal history revealed he has two prior convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, one in Wise County in 2005 and a second in Tazewell County in 2010. Both incidents involved different family or household members.

At sentencing, Adams faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wise County and Tazewell County sheriff’s offices investigated the matter.