Todd Matthew Houston, a 36-year-old resident of Morgantown, West Virginia, has received a 51-month federal prison sentence for conspiring to straw purchase firearms. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh.
The case unfolded when law enforcement responded to a domestic violence incident involving Houston and a firearm at a Morgantown home. During the investigation, officers discovered Houston attempting to pawn over 2,000 rounds of ammunition at a local pawn shop. A subsequent search of Houston's vehicle revealed a pistol. Investigators determined that this firearm was purchased by another individual in exchange for heroin for Houston. Due to previous felony convictions including domestic battery, drug trafficking, robbery, and grand larceny, Houston is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
Following his prison term, Houston will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rhee, while the investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in collaboration with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office.
