Justin Paul Crofford, 35, of Salem, West Virginia, is headed to federal prison for 18 months after being convicted of illegally possessing a firearm — a 12-gauge shotgun — in Harrison County. The sentence, handed down today in Clarksburg, underscores the federal crackdown on felons caught with weapons.
Crofford pleaded guilty in October 2017 to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” admitting he had the shotgun in January of that year. His criminal history includes a prior felony conviction in Smith County, Texas Circuit Court — a fact that automatically barred him from owning or handling any firearm under federal law.
The investigation began after local authorities in Anmoore flagged suspicious activity leading to Crofford’s connection with the weapon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) moved in, joining the Anmoore Police Department to build the case. Evidence confirmed Crofford not only had access to the shotgun but exercised control over it.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case, emphasizing that individuals with felony records who rearm themselves put communities at risk. “This wasn’t a paperwork error — it was a dangerous choice,” Cook stated in court. “Federal law is clear: felons and firearms don’t mix.”
Sentencing was presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley, who cited Crofford’s criminal past and the potential for violence as key factors in imposing the 18-month term. No additional fines or supervised release terms were disclosed in the court’s public statement.
The conviction adds to a growing list of federal firearms prosecutions in rural West Virginia, where illegal weapon possession often intersects with drug activity and repeat offenses. Authorities say they’ll continue targeting unlawful gun ownership through joint task forces and intelligence-led operations.
Related Federal Cases
- Russell Cary Owens Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · North Carolina
- Ohio County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Jason Garcia Cano Gets 27 Months for Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Rollie C. Poynter Jr. Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · Kentucky
- Archie Ray Arbogast Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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