CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Deandre Jones, 29, of Irwin, Pennsylvania, and Robert Pannell, 34, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, were each convicted today of unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
In August 2014, the defendants attempted to purchase a 9mm pistol from a licensed firearms dealer in Harrison County, West Virginia. The defendants intentionally misled the firearms dealer by indicating that the pistol was being purchased for Pannell. In fact, the pistol was being purchased for Jones.
The defendants each pled guilty today to “Aiding and Abetting - ‘Straw Purchase’ of Firearm." They each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Morgan prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
