Charleston, W. Va. - Lucas R. Lynch, 31, of St. Albans, West Virginia plead guilty today to the federal charge of felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin. Lynch, who is prohibited from possessing guns due to a prior felony conviction in 2003, conspired with Keary Drake of Charleston to sell stolen firearms and split the proceeds. In November of 2013, Lynch and Drake drove to St. Albans where they picked up two stolen guns, a rifle and a shotgun. On their way from St. Albans, police attempted to stop the car for a traffic violation. Lynch failed to stop and attempted to evade capture. In the process, Drake was injured while trying to jump from Lynch’s moving vehicle. Lynch continued to flee from police until his car engine malfunctioned. When questioned, Drake and Lynch admitted their participation in the illegal gun scheme, and acknowledged that they were not permitted to possess firearms.
Lynch faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison when he is sentenced on July 9, 2014. Drake previously plead guilty on Feb. 24, 2014 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2014.
The St. Albans Police Department conducted the investigation, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Enforcement. AUSA Erik Goes is handling the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
