Marvin Dunigan, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2016

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Tennessee man has been sentenced for committing a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Marvin Dunigan, 46, of Johnson City, previously entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

According to the investigation, on August 16, 2016, Dunigan possessed a Cobra Model C32, .32 caliber firearm in Beckley. Dunigan was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of a 2010 felony conviction in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, his first conviction for being a prior felon in possession of a firearm.

“A convicted felon and repeat violator of federal gun laws,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Guys like Dunigan aren’t supposed to have firearms for a reason. He was fully aware of the prohibition and now he’ll serve almost 4 years in a federal pen because he chose not to follow the law,”

Dunigan admitted to possessing the firearm, despite being aware of the federal prohibition. His actions have resulted in a significant punishment, with 46 months in federal prison. This sentence serves as a reminder that the law will not tolerate repeat offenders who disregard the law.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beckley Police Department. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals.

United States Attorney Mike Stuart commended the investigation and said, “We will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who break the law and put the safety of our communities at risk.”

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