Michael Shawn Alford, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2017

Felon in Possession Conviction Lands Hurricane Man in Prison

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Michael Shawn Alford, 38, of Hurricane, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

Last week, Alford entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

The case began on September 24, 2017, when Alford was riding a motorcycle in the area of Dry Ridge Road in Milton. The motorcycle broke down, and Alford began to push it down the road. When a deputy from the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, Alford went behind a tree in the woods close to the road.

The deputy then recovered a Smith and Wesson, Model M&P Shield, 9mm handgun from behind the tree. Alford was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of his felony convictions in Kanawha County Circuit Court for aggravated robbery in 2001 and for unlawful assault in 2009.

“Another felon in possession conviction,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “ATF and our state and local law enforcement partners have intensified their efforts and worked a significant number of gun crime cases over the last nine months. By doing so, they are making West Virginia safer for all of us.”

Alford faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 14, 2019. Assistant United States Attorneys Clint Carte and Stephanie Taylor are responsible for the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

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