Dennis Allen High, 29, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, admitted in federal court to illegally possessing multiple firearms in Berkeley County — a crime that carries up to ten years behind bars.
High, previously convicted of a felony offense in Maryland, is barred under federal law from possessing any firearm. Despite that, he admitted to having control over several guns in July 2016, directly violating federal statutes designed to keep weapons out of the hands of violent offenders.
The guilty plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble, who oversaw the proceedings in Martinsburg. High pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” a charge that exposes him to a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that led to High’s arrest and prosecution. Evidence gathered by both agencies confirmed High’s access to and control over the firearms in question.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins, acting on behalf of the federal government. No plea deal details were disclosed, but sentencing will be determined under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which weigh the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s criminal past.
Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen confirmed the plea, underscoring federal efforts to hold prohibited individuals accountable for possessing deadly weapons. High now awaits formal sentencing, with federal prison looming on the horizon.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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