WILLIAM PATTERSON, 31
A Nottoway County man was arrested here Sunday morning on an alleged felony firearm offense that even authorities say is “confusing.”
According to Blackstone Police, William Howard Patterson, 31, of Old Shore Road, Blackstone, was stopped on North West Avenue at 2:45 a.m. Sunday morning, Dec. 7th. Officer Jeremy Ruppert saw a vehicle cross the white line on the right side of the road.
Lt. Tony Mayton said that Officer Ruppert stopped that vehicle, and that the driver was identified as Patterson. Mayton said Patterson was arrested and charged with violating Code Section 18.2-300, Possession of a Sawed-Off Shotgun. He wasn’t charged with any other offense, including the reason for the traffic stop, according to court records
Mayton said wording of that firearm statute is “a bit confusing” because Patterson wasn’t in possession of an actual sawed-off shotgun. Mayton said the barrel of the shotgun in Patterson’s possession allegedly “was just shorter than it should be, by Virginia Code, with a buttstock attached.”
The Courier-Record reached-out to Patterson on Monday for comment. Patterson said he appreciated the outreach and that he would consult with his attorney before making any formal statement.
An arraignment is scheduled for today (Wednesday) in Nottoway General District Court.
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