⏱ 3 min read
Steven Mark Hosey, a 59-year-old from Poca, West Virginia, was involved in a lucrative but illicit business, selling firearms without a Federal Firearms License (FFL) in Huntington. Between April 2024 and April 10, 2025, Hosey purchased guns from licensed dealers with the intent to sell them for profit to other individuals, often using social media platforms to advertise his merchandise. He conducted these transactions in the parking lot of a licensed FFL business, including sales to a confidential informant. Hosey’s actions were a clear violation of federal law, which requires individuals engaged in the business of dealing in firearms to obtain an FFL.
Hosey’s dealings involved a significant number of firearms, including various models of pistols and revolvers from notable manufacturers like Glock, Sig Sauer, and Colt. On specific dates, such as January 25, 2025, and February 6, 2025, he sold multiple guns, showcasing the regularity and quantity of his illegal business. The transactions included a Glock model 43X 9mm pistol, a Shadow Systems model MR920 9mm pistol, a Glock model 40 10mm pistol, and a Colt model Anaconda .44 Magnum revolver, among others.
The law caught up with Hosey on April 10, 2025, when law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at his residence, seizing 34 firearms. Hosey admitted that he intended to sell some of these seized guns for profit, further implicating himself in the illegal firearms trade. His guilty plea and subsequent sentencing reflect the seriousness with which federal authorities treat such crimes, given the potential for unlicensed firearms to contribute to violence and other criminal activities.
Hosey’s sentence includes 3 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. This outcome is the result of an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia handling the prosecution. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat illegal firearms trafficking and the importance of adhering to federal firearms laws.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Weapons
- Defendant: West Virginia
- Location: WV
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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