David Keith Stover Jr. Sentenced in West Virginia Gun Case

David Keith Stover, Jr., 37, of Stonewood, West Virginia, is going to prison for keeping weapons he was never allowed to touch. Stover was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, a crime that stems from a 2015 discovery of three rifles in his possession.

The case out of Harrison County hit a nerve with law enforcement after Stover, previously convicted of a felony in the same county, was found with the firearms during a lawful search in May 2015. Federal law bars anyone with a felony conviction from owning or possessing guns. Stover’s record made the weapons a federal offense, not just a local violation.

In August 2016, Stover pleaded guilty to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm,” admitting to the charge rather than face trial. The plea came after investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Stonewood Police Department built a clear case linking him to the rifles.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case for the federal government, pushing for time behind bars to reflect the seriousness of a felon stockpiling firepower. The prosecution emphasized that Stover’s access to firearms posed a direct threat to public safety.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley handed down the 36-month sentence, holding Stover accountable under strict federal sentencing guidelines for gun crimes. The judge noted the non-negotiable nature of firearm restrictions for convicted felons.

The case was a joint effort between federal and local authorities, highlighting ongoing efforts in West Virginia to crack down on illegal gun possession. United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, confirmed the outcome, underscoring that violations like Stover’s will be met with full enforcement of the law.