CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston felon who possessed a firearm in December 2016 was sentenced yesterday to 38 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jamie Edward Smith, 31, previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney Stuart commended the investigation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police.
“It’s simple -- convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We will aggressively prosecute anyone that choses to violate our federal gun laws."
Smith admitted that on Dec. 20, 2016, he had a Raven Arms,.25 caliber pistol in his possession. Smith is prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of a 2008 felony conviction for breaking and entering in Fayette County, West Virginia.
Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis was in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., handed down the sentence.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
