Dale Lee Sharp, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2024

Elkins Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Firearm Possession

A 45-year-old Elkins, West Virginia man has admitted to holding an arsenal of firearms despite a previous felony conviction. Dale Lee Sharp, 45, pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm on February 16, 2016, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of West Virginia.

Sharp, a resident of Elkins, West Virginia, was found guilty of holding a .380 caliber pistol, a .270 caliber rifle, a .30-30 caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun, all of which are considered contraband for a convicted felon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case, bringing charges against Sharp with the support of the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which led the investigation.

The case is now pending sentencing, with Sharp facing up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based on the severity of the offense and any prior history of the defendant.

A U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the case, hearing testimony from both the prosecution and defense.

Sharp’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and prevent the proliferation of firearms among convicted felons. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure public safety and uphold the law.

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