Inwood Man Admits to ATF Lie in Gun Probe

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A young Berkeley County man is facing serious time after admitting he deliberately misled federal agents investigating a gun sale. James Eldon Osborne, 22, of Inwood, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Making a False Statement” in federal court, according to Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen.

The lie wasn’t some minor omission. Osborne confessed to intentionally deceiving an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) during questioning related to a firearm sale that took place in Berkeley County back in March 2016. The details of the sale, and what prompted the ATF investigation, remain sealed, but the confession confirms Osborne wasn’t being truthful about his involvement.

This isn’t a slap on the wrist crime. Osborne now faces a potential five-year prison sentence and a hefty fine of up to $250,000. While the Federal Sentencing Guidelines will ultimately determine the final punishment, those guidelines weigh the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history – a factor that could significantly increase his time behind bars.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski relentlessly pursued the case on behalf of the government, meticulously building a case that led to Osborne’s admission. The ATF conducted the initial investigation, digging into the details of the gun sale and ultimately uncovering Osborne’s deception.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the proceedings, hearing Osborne’s guilty plea. The judge will ultimately hand down the sentence, taking into account the recommendations of the prosecution and defense, as well as the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. This case serves as a stark warning: lying to federal agents, especially in investigations involving firearms, carries serious consequences.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. The ATF’s ongoing efforts to trace illegal firearms and hold those who facilitate their sale accountable remain a critical component of federal law enforcement in West Virginia and across the nation.