Two residents of Hagerstown, Maryland, have admitted involvement in a firearms trafficking scheme that spread into Berkeley County, West Virginia. Christopher Seth St. Clair, 24, and David Lamont Barnes, 23, have pleaded guilty to charges related to their roles in this operation.
St. Clair has confessed to making a false statement during a firearm purchase, while Barnes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the gun control act. Legal documents reveal that St. Clair and Barnes, in collaboration with others, acquired firearms and transported them across state lines. St. Clair falsely claimed that he was not purchasing the guns for other people, while Barnes assisted in these purchases and the transportation of the firearms.
If convicted, St. Clair might face up to 10 years in federal prison, and Barnes could face up to five years. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and additional statutory considerations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane is leading the prosecution for this case. The investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the proceedings.
