Bryson J. England, a 43-year-old from Oak Hill, was sentenced to two years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence includes three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
Court records reveal that on February 2, 2024, England was stopped while traveling as a passenger in a vehicle in Beckley, Raleigh County. During the stop, officers discovered a loaded Armscor of the Philippines model M1911-AU FS .45-caliber pistol on England. They also found an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in the vehicle's passenger area.
Federal law bars individuals with prior felony convictions from owning firearms or ammunition. England had been aware of this restriction due to his previous felony conviction for unlawful wounding in Kanawha County Circuit Court, dated January 6, 2003.
The announcement of England's sentencing was made by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, who praised the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police for their investigative work.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk issued the sentence, while Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case.
This case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by collaborating with law enforcement and community members. The program focuses on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention initiatives, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and evaluating outcomes. A related strategy was launched by the Department on May 26, 2021, emphasizing these core principles.
For further information, the press release is accessible on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia, and related court documents are available on PACER under Case No. 5:24-cr-138.
