Charleston, W.Va. - Two men were sentenced to federal prison today for gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Paul Martin, 31, of South Charleston, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. In a separate prosecution, Denver Clifton Julious, 67, of Hilltop in Fayette County, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Martin admitted that on July 5, 2016, he was driving a silver Mercedes Benz in South Charleston and law enforcement initiated a traffic stop because officers knew he did not have a valid driver’s license. Officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded.45 caliber handgun that Martin had previously placed in the glove box. Martin is prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of several previous felony convictions in Kanawha County Circuit Court, including daytime burglary, forgery, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
In a separate prosecution, on May 6, 2016, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and members of the West Virginia State Police responded to Julious’ Red Star Road residence. Law enforcement went to his residence to execute a search warrant and to arrest Julious on several state charges arising from an armed altercation between Julious and another individual. During the arrest, a deputy sheriff located a Davis Industries.22 caliber derringer in Julious’ pocket. Julious’ criminal history contains felony convictions that prohibit him from possessing any firearm under federal law, including convictions for armed robbery in 1982 and first degree sexual assault in 1988 in Fayette County Circuit Court, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm in 2006 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
The investigation of Martin was conducted by the South Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of Martin’s prosecution. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation of Julious. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks handled the prosecution of Julious. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentences.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
