Barhamsville man receives year in jail for illegally possessing gun

A Barhamsville man will serve a one-year jail term after agreeing to a plea deal during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Charles James Lipscomb, 48, of the 500 block of Barham Road, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a non-violent convicted felon. One charge of discharging a firearm from a vehicle was dropped.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, last Nov. 10 witnesses observed Lipscomb as he drove into a trailer park in the eastern part of New Kent. After circling around the property once, he reentered the property. Witnesses said at the preliminary hearing that they heard gunshots before they contacted authorities.

Sheriff’s deputies responded and located Lipscomb sitting in his vehicle outside his residence. One deputy saw the defendant removing his sweatshirt, an item of clothing that witnesses saw him wearing. After a consensual encounter, Lipscomb was taken into custody for discharging a firearm. A background check revealed the defendant had four prior felonies, making it illegal for him to own a firearm.

Under the agreement, Lipscomb received a five-year sentence with four years suspended (one to serve).