Steven Mark Hosey, 59, of Poca, was sentenced on July 22 to three months in prison and three years of supervised release for unlawfully engaging in the business of dealing in firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least April 2024 through April 10, 2025, Hosey sold firearms without a Federal Firearms License (FFL) in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Hosey admitted that he knew he needed an FFL based on the quantity and regularity with which he was buying and selling firearms. He further admitted that he purchased firearms from FFL licensees with the intent to sell them to other individuals, received requests from individuals for specific firearms that he would purchase to sell to those individuals, purchased firearms without a specific buyer in mind, and advertised the sale of firearms on various social media platforms.
Hosey also admitted that he sold between 40 and 50 firearms for profit during this period. These included transactions involving a Glock model 43X 9mm pistol and a Shadow Systems model MR920 9mm pistol on January 25, a Glock model 40 10mm pistol and a Colt model Anaconda .44 Magnum revolver on February 6, a Sig Sauer model P320 9mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson model 629 .44 Magnum revolver on February 28, a Glock model 45 9mm pistol and an FN model FNX-45 Tactical .45-caliber pistol on March 17, as well as a Kimber model Tactical Pro II 9mm pistol and a Springfield Armory model Hellcat 9mm pistol on April 8. Hosey conducted these five transactions in the parking lot of an FFL business and sold the firearms to a confidential informant.
On April 10, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Hosey’s residence where they seized thirty-four firearms. Hosey admitted that he intended to sell some of these seized weapons for profit.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the sentence and commended the investigative work by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative utilizing Department of Justice resources aimed at combating illegal immigration activities as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.