Teacher his shot a 6-year-old boy in Virginia last year, pleaded guilty to federal gun charges.
Taylor Deja was charged with making a false statement about purchasing a firearm and owning a gun while using marijuana illegally. In January, Abby Zwerner, a first-grade teacher, used a weapon to shoot her son.
October is the month set for Sentencing. Taylor, who is facing charges in federal court for the shooting, could potentially be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. Additionally, Taylor has also been charged in state court in connection with the shooting, and attorneys for both prosecutors and Taylor have reached an agreement on the sentence, which ranges from 24 to 18 months.
“Failing to abide by the requirements for possessing or purchasing a firearm can have significant implications, as stated in a plea hearing by U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. It is essential to note that ownership requirements for firearms are not optional and exist to protect the lives of individuals, their family members, and owners.”
The shooting incident in Newport News, Virginia, which raised concerns among school administrators, has sparked national criticism and attention. Administrators are now facing a $40 million lawsuit filed by Zwerner, who was critically injured in the shooting.
Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old who fired a gun at a teacher in Virginia, will be confronted with additional federal weapon-related accusations in relation to the Newport News school shooting.
What happened the day of the shooting?
According to authorities, Zwerner sustained gunshot wounds to both her hand and chest. On January 6th, while she was reading to students in her classroom at Richneck Elementary in Newport News, Zwerner was shot by an unidentified individual who is believed to be Taylor’s son.
As per the $40 million lawsuit filed by Zwerner, which claims gross negligence, the school district was repeatedly cautioned about the possibility of the boy possessing a firearm on the day of the incident. The lawsuit noted that the boy had a track record of behavioral difficulties and aggressive behavior towards educators.
Taylor said that her son has ADHD. He mentioned that his behavior had improved because, for the first time in a week, he went to school without being accompanied by a parent as part of a planned care arrangement. He also added that the boy’s family usually accompanies him to class.
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Contributing: The AP.
What charges were filed against Deja Taylor?
Taylor’s federal charges appear to be relatively rare at a time when a growing number of states have legalized marijuana, including Virginia.
According to court documents, Taylor was admitted to being a daily marijuana user for about 11 years, but it was not for recreational purposes. Prosecutors allege that she was an “unlawful user of marijuana” when she bought a gun last year, as indicated on a form.
Despite the legality of growing or possessing weed in Virginia, it remains classified as a controlled substance under federal law, which typically prohibits individuals from owning firearms if they are unlawfully using such substances.
Taylor, who was arrested in April, is expected to stand trial in August and faces charges of leaving a loaded firearm recklessly and endangering a child, as well as the felony charge of child neglect. She could potentially be convicted and sentenced to up to six years in prison.
Her attorney Gene Rossi described the situation as “a combination of unfortunate circumstances with devastating outcomes.”
Ms. Taylor expressed that she will always carry a sense of remorse for the actions of her son. However, she emphasized that she is in no way responsible for the unfortunate incident, as it was solely her son’s doing. USA TODAY informed Rossi that the tragedy was connected to Ms. Deja Taylor, who somehow allowed her very young son to have access to a gun. The incident is not only a tragedy because of the potential harm inflicted on a great teacher’s life but also due to the overall devastating nature of the event.
Court records: Federal agents discovered marijuana in mother’s residence
According to federal prosecutors, federal agents discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Taylor’s handbag and the homes she lived in with her grandfather and mother.
According to court documents, federal agents found drugs packaging, drug-related items, cannabis, packaging for cannabis edibles, a container of bullets, and a lock for a black firearm barrel at Taylor’s grandfather’s residence nearly two weeks after Taylor’s son injured his teacher on January 19th.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Taylor’s investigation into marijuana uncovered a widespread and extensive network. Additionally, agents searched Taylor’s mother’s residence, where they discovered even more marijuana products and evidence of Taylor’s prolonged involvement in the trade.
As per legal records, Taylor was halted in Williamsburg, Virginia during a vehicle stop for exceeding the speed limit subsequent to her apprehension in April 2021. The inquiry additionally revealed that.
The police officer from Williamsburg allegedly conducted a stop and detected an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from inside the federal vehicle that prosecutors wrote about.
Supposedly, legal papers suggest that the automobile, Taylor’s handbag, and a bag belonging to another individual in the vehicle were likewise inspected and contained additional cannabis items, tablets, and electronic weighing devices. The offspring of Taylor, who was 4 years old at the moment, was present in the car alongside her and was positioned “immediately adjacent to … Multiple cannabis-infused snacks resembling rice confections.”
Taylor claimed to have no knowledge of any drugs in the car.
Federal prosecutors: No lockbox for gun was found
In March, the top prosecutor overseeing the case informed reporters that Taylor would not be charged. Lawyer James Ellenson, who also represents Taylor, previously stated that it is uncertain how the boy obtained the firearm, which had a trigger lock and was stored on a high shelf in a closet.
Court documents reveal that during their January search, federal agents were unable to locate a lockbox, a trigger lock, or a key for a trigger lock in any of Taylor’s residences.
Federal prosecutors said that a few weeks before the shooting, a garbage bag that had been filled with trash was found in the lock of Taylor’s grandfather’s home, while authorities discovered a firearm barrel locked inside.
In a statement, Diane Toscano, the lawyer for Zwerner, stated that the evidence also contradicted our common sense and assured us that the attorney’s statements were securely safeguarding the gun. USA TODAY
