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Raleigh County man pleads guilty to federal firearm charge

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U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson | U.S. Department of Justice

Brian K. Trent, a 29-year-old resident of Bradley, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was entered on December 11, 2024, as confirmed by court documents and statements made during the proceedings.

The incident leading to the charges occurred on September 12, 2023. Law enforcement officers responded to a report about a suspicious vehicle in the Stanaford area of Raleigh County. Upon arrival, they found Trent and another individual inside the vehicle. The vehicle had been reported stolen in South Carolina. Additionally, officers discovered that Trent had an active misdemeanor warrant and a parole violation.

During their search of Trent and the vehicle, officers seized multiple firearms: a Taurus model G2 9mm pistol, a North American .22-caliber magnum revolver, a Marlin model 60 .22-caliber rifle, a Noble model 60H 12-gauge shotgun, and a Taurus .32-caliber revolver.

Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Trent acknowledged he was aware of this prohibition due to his previous felony conviction for destruction of property in Raleigh County Circuit Court on November 29, 2016.

Trent's sentencing is scheduled for April 4, 2025. He faces up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the guilty plea and praised the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The hearing was overseen by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons is handling the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced strategy under PSN focusing on trust-building within communities and supporting organizations that work to prevent violence.

For further details about this case or related court documents, visit the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia or search PACER using Case No. 5:24-cr-58.

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