NORFOLK, Va. — A traffic stop for reckless driving turned into something much bigger for 35-year-old Devontay Ramound Harrington, who now faces sentencing after pleading guilty to felony gun and drug charges.
On the night of February 18, Norfolk Police say Harrington was driving dangerously along Norview Avenue near Five Points when officers pulled him over. What started as a routine stop quickly escalated.
Officers spotted an open alcohol container in the front cupholder and asked Harrington to step out of the car. That’s when they saw a handgun tucked in his jacket. A search turned up more than $7,000 in cash, over two pounds of marijuana, plus a digital scale and packaging materials in his car—evidence pointing to drug distribution.
Harrington, who already has two prior convictions for illegally carrying a concealed weapon (2018 and 2020), struck a plea deal in May. He admitted guilt to felony marijuana possession with intent to distribute and felony third-offense concealed carry. Two other charges were dropped as part of the deal.
Judge Joseph C. Lindsey accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 27. Harrington’s punishment will be entirely up to the judge.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi didn’t mince words: “While Mr. Harrington should not have been selling marijuana illegally, the real problem in this case is that Mr. Harrington had armed himself and was once again concealing a firearm,” he said. “Carrying a concealed gun while engaging in illegal activity greatly increases the danger of violence for everyone.”
Prosecutors say they’ll push for a sentence that reflects the risk Harrington posed by mixing weapons and drug distribution on Norfolk’s streets.