Cameron Martin Taylor, Stealing a Firearm, West Virginia 2013

BECKLEY, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, a Shady Spring man has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for stealing a high-powered rifle from a Raleigh County residence last year.

According to sources, Cameron Martin Taylor, 25, of Shady Spring, Raleigh Co., W.Va., stole an AR-50 rifle from a residence located near White Oak, Raleigh Co., W.Va. on April 24, 2013. The incident sparked a massive investigation led by the West Virginia State Police.

Taylor, who previously pleaded guilty in September 2013 to stealing a firearm, was handed down a sentence of four years and nine months in federal prison by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger in Beckley.

The investigation was conducted by the West Virginia State Police, with Assistant United States Attorney John File handling the prosecution. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

Taylor’s sentencing is a major victory for law enforcement officials in West Virginia, who have been working tirelessly to combat gun violence in the region. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of gun safety and the consequences of stealing firearms.

The West Virginia State Police, along with federal authorities, will continue to work together to ensure that those who engage in gun-related crimes are held accountable for their actions.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin commended the efforts of the West Virginia State Police and the prosecution team for their work on the case. ‘This sentence sends a clear message that stealing firearms will not be tolerated in our community,’ Goodwin said.

Taylor’s sentence will take effect immediately, with the defendant set to begin serving his time in federal prison.

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