CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Miguel Quinones, 38, of Charleston, admitted today to a federal firearms violation, continuing a pattern of lawlessness that landed him behind bars years ago. The guilty plea, announced by United States Attorney Carol Casto, confirms Quinones knowingly possessed firearms despite a prior felony conviction, a clear breach of federal law.
The bust originated on October 19, 2013, when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on a storage unit in Dunbar. The unit, rented by Quinones himself, yielded a trove of his personal belongings – and two illegally possessed weapons. Authorities recovered a Harrington & Richardson 20 gauge shotgun and a Marlin, Model 120 Revelation Western Auto Supply Company .22 caliber rifle, both directly linked to the defendant.
This wasn’t a simple oversight. Quinones’ criminal history disqualifies him from owning any firearm. A 2000 conviction in Fayette County Circuit Court for second-degree murder permanently stripped him of that right. He knowingly violated that prohibition, adding another layer of seriousness to his offenses. Quinones offered no resistance, admitting to ownership of the firearms found within the storage unit.
The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Marshals Service. These agencies worked diligently to connect Quinones to the illegal weapons, building a solid case that led to today’s guilty plea. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is prosecuting the case.
Now, Quinones faces a harsh reckoning. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2017, before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. The maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is a staggering 10 years in federal prison – a considerable stretch for a repeat offender.
This case isn’t isolated. It’s part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national initiative aimed at tackling gun violence by bolstering local crime-fighting programs. The Department of Justice hopes this conviction sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms will be aggressively pursued and brought to justice. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
Related Federal Cases
- Charleston Felon Ronald Sayles Cuffed for Gun Possession · West Virginia
- Preston County Felon Scott Thomas Gets 41 Months for Gun Possession · West Virginia
- Ohio Felon Whitt Gets 30 Months for Gun Possession · West Virginia
- Florida Felon Cops to Gun Charge in Charleston Bust · West Virginia
- Tyler Hall Admits to Gun Possession as Drug User · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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