Huntington Felon Wolford Gets 18 Months for Gun Possession

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Stephen Michael Wolford, 32, of Huntington, is facing the consequences for a reckless flight and illegal firearm possession, sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The case highlights the ongoing federal crackdown on convicted felons illegally carrying weapons.

The drama unfolded on March 29, 2023, when a Huntington Police officer attempted a routine traffic stop near the intersection of 27th Street and Ninth Avenue. Wolford didn’t comply. Instead, he floored it, leading officers on a high-speed chase exceeding 90 miles per hour. The pursuit ended violently when Wolford crashed and flipped his vehicle on the 1400 block of 28th Street. He then attempted to ditch the vehicle and run, but officers quickly apprehended him.

The wreckage wasn’t the only evidence. A Smith & Wesson Model M&P .40-caliber pistol was recovered at the crash site. Wolford readily admitted ownership, and further confessed to brandishing the weapon at a Huntington business just the day before, openly shopping for accessories while displaying the firearm to a store employee. A brazen act for a man already barred from owning one.

Federal law is clear: a prior felony conviction disqualifies a person from possessing firearms or ammunition. Wolford was well aware of this. He had previously been convicted of grand larceny in Cabell County Circuit Court on August 15, 2017. Despite this, he chose to illegally arm himself, putting the community at risk. This wasn’t a misunderstanding; it was a conscious disregard for the law.

United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the sentencing, praising the collaborative efforts of the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers handed down the sentence, with Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams spearheading the prosecution. This case is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement.

The Department’s violent crime reduction strategy, bolstering PSN, centers on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and measuring results. Those seeking further details can find a copy of the press release on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia, and related court documents on PACER under Case No. 3:23-cr-84. Wolford’s case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing a firearm carries serious federal consequences.