Federal authorities in Wheeling, West Virginia have charged a local man with possessing an unregistered .30 caliber machine gun.
Derek Schultz, 53, of Wheeling, was arraigned today on charges of ‘Prohibited Possession of a Machinegun’ and ‘Unlawful Possession of N.F.A. Firearm’, announced United States Attorney Bill Powell.
The indictment alleges that Schultz had the unregistered firearm in January 2019 in Ohio County.
Schultz faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the government’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided over the arraignment.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant/Respondent: Derek Schultz
Criminal Charges: ‘Prohibited Possession of a Machinegun’, ‘Unlawful Possession of N.F.A. Firearm’
City and State: Wheeling, West Virginia
Exact Date: April 2, 2019
Sentence or Outcome: Pending
Dollar Amounts: Up to $250,000 fine per count
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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