Buckhannon Man Admits to Role in Gun Theft and Sale Operation
A Buckhannon, West Virginia man has admitted to being involved in a gun theft and sale operation, as well as carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, officials announced today.
Bobby Ray Johnson, Jr., age 27, pled guilty to one count of ‘Carry a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime’ in a federal court in Elkins, West Virginia. According to court documents, Johnson admitted to having a .40 caliber pistol during a drug trafficking crime in December 2016 in Upshur County.
Johnson faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF).
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner, who works on behalf of the government to bring justice to the people of West Virginia.
Johnson’s guilty plea stems from an investigation into a gun theft and sale operation in Upshur County. The investigation revealed that Johnson was involved in the theft and sale of firearms, and he was found to have a .40 caliber pistol during a drug trafficking crime in December 2016.
The case highlights the importance of working together to combat crime and bring perpetrators to justice. The OCDETF program provides critical funding and coordination to help federal and state agencies work together to identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
The people of West Virginia deserve to feel safe in their communities, and it is the responsibility of law enforcement to ensure that justice is served. The guilty plea by Bobby Ray Johnson, Jr. is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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