Elkins Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Possession

Anthony Blackburn, 26, of Elkins, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm — a charge rooted in a dangerous overlap of past violence and federal gun law violations. The plea, entered in federal court, follows an investigation into Blackburn’s possession of two loaded handguns in April 2016, despite being legally barred from owning weapons due to a prior conviction.

Blackburn’s criminal history includes a Randolph County misdemeanor conviction for ‘Domestic Battery’ — a disqualifying offense under federal law that prohibits individuals from possessing firearms. Despite that, he admitted to holding a .9mm pistol and a .380 caliber pistol during the charged period. The weapons were recovered during a probe led by the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which flagged Blackburn as a prohibited person in possession.

Under federal statute, Blackburn now faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which weigh the severity of the offense and the defendant’s prior record. With a domestic violence conviction already on file, prosecutors and judges are likely to treat the firearms charge with heightened seriousness.

U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, emphasized the danger posed by armed individuals with histories of domestic abuse. ‘When someone convicted of domestic violence is found with not one, but two guns, the threat to public safety escalates,’ Ihlenfeld stated. ‘We’re not just enforcing laws — we’re preventing tragedies.’

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the plea hearing, where Blackburn confirmed his understanding of the charges and the rights he was waiving by pleading guilty. No trial date has been set, but sentencing is expected within the next several months.

This conviction underscores federal efforts to target prohibited persons in possession of firearms, particularly those with histories of domestic violence. The Mountain Region Task Force continues to prioritize such cases as part of a broader strategy to reduce gun violence in rural communities across West Virginia.

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