LYNCHBURG, Va. – A 25-year-old Lynchburg man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for recruiting at least 4 juveniles into a criminal street gang and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense pursuant to a plea agreement reflecting a sentence that was double the high end of his sentencing guidelines, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg announced Wednesday.
Larneaux Allen was sentenced on Tuesday, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
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On May 27, 2023 officers with the LPD patrolled 12th Street when they saw a pistol with an extended in the passenger floorboard of a vehicle. A police K9 also alerted to narcotics inside of the vehicle which led the police to search the vehicle.
10 News has learned that after the officers ran the serial number of the gun they discovered that the gun had been stolen, and officers found suspected illegal narcotics and an additional gun inside of the vehicle.
Officers watched the vehicle and saw Allen and another individual enter the vehicle, according to the Commonwealth’s attorney Allen was a convicted felon and a known criminal street gang member to the LPD.
The LPD observed Allen attempting to enter the passenger’s side door where the gun was located inside of the vehicle, Police then detained Allen and obtained a search warrant for his phone.
On his phone, the officers were able to discover photos and videos of gang-related activity and “several years” worth of correspondence between Allen and multiple juveniles where Allen told them how to commit crimes and exist within the rules of the gang.
Allen received a 20-year sentence with 15 years suspended on a felony charge of Gang Participation in a Gang that includes Juvenile Members. He received another 20-year sentenced with 15 years suspended on a felony charge of Recruitment of a Juvenile into a Criminal Street Gang. He received a 5-year sentence on Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon with all 5 years suspended.
While entering his plea, Allen through his attorney stated he has changed his life around and wants to be a better man for his family. The Judge acknowledged that Allen was taking the right steps. but added that he hoped that Allen might have the opportunity to encourage the juveniles he recruited to change their lives as well, according to the release from the Commonwealth’s Attorney.