ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA - A Petersburg, West Virginia man was arrested yesterday for multiple firearms violations, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Benjamin Wayne Hyre, 36, was charged by a federal grand jury on February 22 for “Felon in possession of a firearm," “Possession of a firearm with altered serial number," “Unlawful transfer of short barrel firearm," and “Unlawful possession of a silencer." The crimes are alleged to have occurred between March and December 2016 in Grant County.
Hyre faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the first count, up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the second count, up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for each of the third and fourth counts.
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 defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
