FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29, 2018
Contact: Heather F. Williamson
Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
20 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176-2809
(703) 777-0242
WEST VIRGINIA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF SHOOTING AT MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ALDIE
JURY FIXES SENTENCE AT THREE YEARS WITH $3,500 IN FINES
LEESBURG, Virginia – March 28, 2018. Following a multi-day jury trial, Charles Edward Crowley, 33, was found guilty of offenses that occurred at a fall 2017 music festival in Aldie, Virginia. The jury found Crowley guilty of attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, brandishing a firearm, and discharging a firearm in public. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Pohlner prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
On September 3, 2017, Crowley came to the attention of concert security staff for his behavior. The concert promoter approached Crowley and asked him to leave the event. When Crowley refused, security staff approached Crowley to escort him from the premises. Crowley drew a weapon and pointed the gun at the concert promoter. Security staff struck down Crowley’s arm as he was firing the weapon, causing the round to go into the ground. Members of the security team quickly backed away from Crowley has he raised his weapon again, and pointed it in their direction. As Crowley attempted to fire the weapon again, his gun jammed causing him to be unable to discharge any additional rounds. Shortly thereafter, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived and took Crowley into custody.
Trial testimony included two eye-witnesses who described the incident in detail.
Following the guilty verdicts, the jury returned a verdict fixing Crowley’s sentence at the mandatory minimum of three years in prison for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and $3,500 in fines for the other charges.
Crowley’s criminal history consisted of a prior conviction for petit larceny and one conviction for failure to appear, both in 2016.
Crowley will return to court on July 27, 2018 for a final sentencing hearing before Judge Jeanette A. Irby who presided over the trial.
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