A Hardy County man has admitted to a serious firearms charge in federal court, according to a recent announcement from United States Attorney Bill Powell.
Joshua A. Parker, age 30, of Baker, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of ‘Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.’ The crime was committed in Hardy County in April 2017.
Parker, having been convicted of four previous felonies, admitted to possessing a 9mm pistol during the offense.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Parker faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Aloi presided over the case.
Parker’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in West Virginia. The case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the federal government in addressing this critical issue.
The Attorney General’s Office has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority, and the reinvigoration of Project Safe Neighborhoods is a key component of this effort.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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