NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A Newport News man is facing more than five years in prison for possessing marijuana while carrying a loaded firearm.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said 22-year-old Armani Branch fled from police as they tried to detain him and others at a Newport News condominium complex in March 2018.
Prosecutors said Branch tried to retrieve a loaded, high capacity gun from his pocket as he ran.
However, Branch slipped and fell while running between two condos, and was subsequently detained.
Police recovered more than a quarter pound of marijuana from Branch’s vehicle.
Prosecutors said Branch acknowledged he was in the neighborhood to sell marijuana.
