U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson | U.S. Department of Justice
Weslee Nathaniel Black, a 39-year-old resident of Huntington, West Virginia, received an eight-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a short-barrel shotgun not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The sentencing took place today.
Court documents reveal that on March 28, 2024, law enforcement officers instructed Black to exit a vehicle on Marcum Terrace's 1300 block in Huntington. He was subsequently arrested for grand larceny of the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a Hatfield Gun Company model PAS 12-gauge shotgun with a shortened barrel. Black acknowledged his possession of the firearm, admitted he knew about its shortened barrel at the time of purchase, and confirmed it was not registered to him as legally required.
Federal regulations prevent individuals with prior convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence from owning firearms or ammunition. Black was aware of this restriction due to his previous conviction for domestic battery in Cabell County Magistrate Court on January 31, 2023.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the sentencing and praised the investigative efforts by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.
The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative uniting various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while enhancing neighborhood safety. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to strengthen PSN based on principles such as fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting organizations that prevent violence proactively, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
Further details about this case can be found on PACER under Case No. 3:24-cr-84.
