Moore Gets 63 Months for Stolen .40 Caliber

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandon S. Moore, 24, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, will spend the next five years and three months behind bars after being sentenced for possessing a stolen .40 caliber pistol. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey, reflects a clear message: illegally possessing stolen firearms carries serious consequences.

The case dates back to June 2015, when Moore brazenly stole the handgun from a residence in neighboring Brooke County. He didn’t hold onto it for long, but that didn’t matter. The act itself, and his subsequent unlawful possession, landed him in federal court. Moore pled guilty in June 2016 to one count of “Possession of a Stolen Firearm,” a charge that carries a substantial penalty.

Federal authorities aren’t painting this as an isolated incident. Stuart L. Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), sees a dangerous pattern. “This case reflects the connections between firearms traffickers and drug traffickers, which threaten public safety and endanger law enforcement officers,” Lowrey stated. The implication is clear: stolen guns often end up in the hands of those who intend to do harm.

The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The ATF worked in conjunction with the West Virginia State Police, the Brooke County Sheriff’s Office, and the Weirton Police Department to build a solid case against Moore. It’s a testament to the importance of interagency cooperation when tackling serious criminal activity. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the 63-month sentence.

Sixty-three months is a significant chunk of a young man’s life. While Moore’s defense wasn’t detailed in the DOJ release, the court clearly wasn’t swayed by any mitigating factors. The message is blunt: stealing guns and possessing them illegally will result in a lengthy prison term. This conviction sends a signal to others contemplating similar crimes in West Virginia and beyond.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts of federal and state law enforcement to dismantle firearms trafficking networks. The proliferation of stolen weapons remains a critical threat, and we’ll be there to expose the individuals and organizations responsible. This isn’t just about one stolen pistol; it’s about protecting communities and keeping dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands.

RELATED: Georgia Tax Pro Gets 5 Years for Fraud Scheme