William S. Thompson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Matthew Harris England, a 38-year-old resident of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia, has been sentenced to one year and eight months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down for charges related to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun.
The case stems from an incident on April 3, 2023, when law enforcement responded to reports of a domestic disturbance at England's residence. Upon entering the home, officers discovered a Savage model Stevens 94F, 20-gauge shotgun with modifications that included a shortened barrel and stock. England admitted awareness of the firearm's presence and its potentially illegal barrel length.
Federal regulations mandate that such firearms be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Additionally, individuals with prior felony convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. England had previously been convicted for aiding and abetting the possession of stolen firearms in May 2014 by the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
United States Attorney Will Thompson acknowledged the investigative efforts made by local law enforcement agencies including the Summers County Sheriff’s Department, West Virginia State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk delivered the sentence while Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The initiative emphasizes trust-building within communities as well as strategic enforcement priorities.
Further details about this case can be accessed through PACER under Case No. 5:23-cr-93 or via the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.
