U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson | U.S. Department of Justice
Edward Leon Sowards, a 35-year-old resident of Hurricane, has pleaded guilty to the federal charge of possessing a firearm despite being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The plea was entered in Huntington, West Virginia.
Court documents reveal that Sowards admitted to purchasing a Taurus model Public Defender Judge Poly .45-caliber/.410-gauge revolver from an individual in June 2023. He acknowledged knowing that the firearm was stolen and later returned it after meeting with the seller in a parking lot in Hurricane on June 21, 2023. At the time of returning the gun, Sowards was aware that its serial number had been removed.
Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from owning firearms or ammunition. Sowards was aware of this restriction due to his previous conviction for domestic battery in Putnam County Magistrate Court on April 20, 2012.
Sowards is set to be sentenced on March 31, 2025. He could face up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who praised the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department's strategy for PSN includes fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
Further details about this case can be accessed via PACER by searching Case No. 3:24-cr-147 or through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia's website.
