Bryson J. England, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2024

Bryson J. England, a 42-year-old man from Oak Hill, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to a federal gun crime. England’s crime was being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries significant penalties.

The incident occurred on February 2, 2024, when England was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement officers in the Beckley area of Raleigh County. During the stop, officers conducted a pat-down search of England and found a loaded Armscor of the Philippines model M1911-AU FS .45-caliber pistol on his person. Officers also searched the vehicle and found an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle on the passenger side.

According to court documents and statements made in court, England knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony conviction for unlawful wounding in Kanawha County Circuit Court on January 6, 2003. This conviction made England a felon, rendering him ineligible to possess a firearm under federal law.

England’s guilty plea is a significant development in the case. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and the communities they serve. The PSN program is focused on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police in the case. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons is prosecuting the case. United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing.

The case is a reminder of the importance of following federal laws related to firearms, particularly for individuals with prior felony convictions. England’s conviction serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to engage in similar activities, highlighting the severe consequences that can result from such actions.

For more information on this case, a copy of the press release is available on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-138.

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