Hampton Man Who Attempted to Kill Police Officer Sentenced to Prison

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Frederick Forson-Peebles, Jr., 25, of Hampton, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This is the maximum sentence of imprisonment allowed under federal law.

Forson-Peebles pleaded guilty on June 2. According to court records, on March 18, 2014, a Hampton Police Officer encountered Forson-Peebles after responding to a call about a large group of people fighting at Liberty Estates Apartment Complex.  When the officer tried to talk to Forson-Peebles he ran.   Forson-Peebles then stopped, drew a black semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and fired at the officer, causing the officer to fall to the ground.  While the officer was on the ground, Forson-Peebles fired at him a second time.  The officer then crawled to cover at the corner of an apartment building and returned fire.  Soon after multiple officers responded to the location and arrested Forson-Peebles.  A loaded Glock 22 handgun was recovered on the scene. Further investigation and interviews of residents of the complex revealed that Forson-Peebles had attempted to gain entry into multiple apartments in his flight from police, banging on doors and trying door handles throughout at least two of the buildings.

Forson-Peebles was previously found not guilty of Attempted Capital Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer in Hampton Circuit Court in November, 2015. The case was then adopted federally.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Terry L. Sult, Chief of Hampton Police Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Cross prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-39.