Justin Ray Guessford, a 40-year-old resident of Fisher, West Virginia, has confessed to illegal firearm possession. Court documents reveal that Guessford, who also goes by the name "Justin Ray Gilbert," was discovered with a .22 caliber rifle in Hardy County. Due to previous convictions for malicious wounding and child neglect, Guessford is legally barred from possessing firearms.
Guessford could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner on behalf of the government. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the West Virginia State Police.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.
