Member of “Merry Point Boys” Gang Sentenced

RICHMOND, Va. – A Lancaster man was sentenced yesterday to nearly 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Shadonta Lateef Beane, 26, was indicted on federal charges of possessing a Romarm/Cugir Mini Draco pistol, having a 30-round magazine and 22 rounds of ammunition, and possessing a stolen Taurus .40 caliber handgun with 10 rounds of ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. Beane pled guilty on February 23 to possessing the Draco firearm as a convicted felon. Evidence and testimony at Beane’s sentencing hearing showed that he was previously charged with and convicted of possessing a firearm at the Raceway Gas Station in Tappahannock, Virginia on October 31, 2020. Testimony at sentencing also identified that Beane is a member of the Merry Point Boys, a street gang operating in the Northern Neck area that has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Corrections as a gang.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Fredericksburg Field Office provided significant assistance in this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-Miller prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-54.