A Newport News man has been sentenced to just over eight years in federal prison after firing a handgun in a neighborhood last year an act that ended with multiple vehicles damaged and a police chase through backyards.
Jimmy Lee Scott, 33, was sentenced Thursday to eight years and one month in prison on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, the incident happened on November 5, 2023, when Newport News Police were called to a neighborhood following a report that a man was waving a gun around. When officers arrived, they saw Scott actively firing a handgun. He ran from the scene but was caught shortly after in a nearby backyard.
The shooting left several cars damaged, though no injuries were reported.
Police later searched a home linked to Scott and found six firearms, one of which was a stolen revolver. They also found one weapon that matched all 20 shell casings collected at the scene—tying Scott directly to the shots fired that day.
Scott has a long history with law enforcement. His prior convictions include two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and other misdemeanor offenses. Because of these convictions, Scott was prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms or ammunition.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, which continues to push for tougher sentencing in cases involving repeat gun offenders.