Michael John Maisey, 49, of Sistersville, West Virginia, admitted in federal court to possessing a firearm despite being legally prohibited from doing so—a crime that could land him behind bars for up to a decade.
Maisey pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” admitting he had a 9mm caliber pistol in Tyler County in July 2018. Federal law bans certain individuals, including convicted felons and others with specific criminal histories, from owning or handling guns.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As laid out in court, the actual sentence will be determined under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, weighing the severity of the offense and Maisey’s prior criminal record, if any.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Martinsville Police Department—agencies that routinely crack down on illegal gun activity in rural West Virginia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case, underscoring the federal government’s continued push to enforce firearms laws in high-risk zones. No additional charges were filed at this time.
Sr. U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided over the plea hearing in Wheeling, West Virginia. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date, with Maisey remaining on pre-trial release under strict conditions.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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