Ampless Ray Lilly, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2023

In a shocking turn of events, Ampless Ray Lilly, 50, of Huntington, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The crime occurred on January 30, 2018, during a routine traffic stop in Hurricane, West Virginia.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lilly admitted to the officer that he had a gun and was a convicted felon. The officer subsequently found a Ruger 9mm pistol between the driver’s seat and center console of Lilly’s vehicle.

Lilly is a convicted felon due to a prior conviction for first-degree sexual assault in Lincoln County Circuit Court on January 22, 1993. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Lilly was well aware of this law, yet chose to disregard it.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for harsher penalties for those who commit similar crimes. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement, commending the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hurricane Police Department.

Lilly is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of gun safety and the need for stricter laws governing firearm ownership. As the nation continues to grapple with the issue of gun violence, cases like Lilly’s serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of ignoring the law.

Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-9. This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the need for stricter laws to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.

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