Ryan H. Guerrant, Gun Possession, West Virginia 2024

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Another West Virginia felon caught with a firearm is off the streets. Ryan H. Guerrant, 34, of Beckley, was handed a 3 year and 10 month prison sentence today for illegally possessing a handgun, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence, delivered by Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk, underscores the federal commitment to keeping guns out of the hands of those already convicted of serious crimes.

The case, built on evidence presented in court and documented filings, centers around a Bersa model BP9CC 9mm found in Guerrant’s possession on November 26, 2023, at a Beckley residence. Federal law is clear: a prior felony conviction disqualifies an individual from owning or possessing any firearm or ammunition. And Guerrant wasn’t just any felon; he was a repeat offender, fully aware of the restrictions placed upon him.

Court records reveal a lengthy rap sheet. Guerrant’s criminal history includes convictions for first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, and escape, all stemming from a January 15, 2010, Raleigh County Circuit Court judgment. He also faced separate convictions on June 13, 2013, and October 25, 2017 – for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and again for being a felon in possession, respectively – in both Raleigh County Circuit Court and the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. This wasn’t a first mistake; it was a pattern of disregard for the law.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentencing, praising the collaborative effort of the Beckley Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and pushing for a substantial prison term. The successful prosecution sends a message that these violations will not be tolerated.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. Launched with a strengthened strategy in May 2021, PSN focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously measuring results. The program aims to make neighborhoods safer through a multi-faceted approach.

Details of the press release are available on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Court documents related to Case No. 5:24-cr-93 can also be found on PACER. Guerrant’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited carries severe consequences, and that repeat offenders will face the full weight of federal law.

RELATED: Ryan Guerrant, Clennel Cobb Sentenced in Beckley Gun Cases

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

Gary Lee Ortiz, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, California 2024

Nov 14, 2016

Weapons

Antjoun Riddick, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Maryland 2023

Apr 9, 2026

Weapons

Michael Layne Spath, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, South Dakota 2017

Mar 24, 2017

Weapons

Eric P. Williams, Illegal Firearms Possession, Pennsylvania 2017

Mar 13, 2017