FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2025

Long Sentenced to 10 Years, Sholes Sentenced to Five Years, Diggs Faces up to 10 Years

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Today, in Charlottesville Circuit Court, Judge Claude V. Worrell sentenced Clifton Melvin Long to 10 years in prison, with seven years and six months suspended, leaving an active period of incarceration of two years and six months. The suspended sentence was conditioned on three years of intensive supervised probation and 10 years of good behavior. The sentences were imposed as the result of a December 5, 2024 investigation involving Mr. Long illegally possessing a firearm and multiple “trigger switches,” devices which convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic firearms.

Also in Charlottesville Circuit Court, Judge Claude V. Worrell sentenced Kaijon Cortez Sholes for possessing a firearm after having been adjudicated delinquent as a juvenile of a felony. The court sentenced Mr. Sholes to five years in prison, with four years suspended, leaving an active period of incarceration of one year. The suspended sentence was conditioned on two years of intensive supervised probation and five years of good behavior.

A third and final case saw Damillion Tahmel Diggs enter guilty pleas to being a felon in possession of a firearm and illegally possessing fentanyl while in possession of a firearm. Mr. Diggs is facing an overall sentence of up to 10 years in prison and will be sentenced on July 2, 2025.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania stated, “our office will continue to prioritize community safety by working with our law enforcement partners to investigate, charge, and prosecute offenses involving firearms.”

Media Contact:
Joe Platania
Commonwealth's Attorney
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3179
platania@charlottesville.gov