Martinsburg Man Faces 20 Years for Possessing Firearm Despite Domestic Violence Order

Kevin Nicholas Munroe, a 32-year-old Martinsburg man, has pleaded guilty to federal domestic violence charges, stemming from a brutal case of firearm possession by a person subject to a domestic violence protective order.

Munroe’s arrest came after West Virginia State Police investigated a shooting, which led them to discover that he had an active domestic violence protective order against him filed in Los Angeles, California. The protective order, issued by the California courts, prohibited Munroe from possessing firearms.

Despite the order, Munroe was found in Martinsburg with the person who filed the protective order and a .45 caliber revolver. This egregious act of defiance has left law enforcement and victims’ advocates appalled.

“Those who violate protective orders will be held accountable, regardless of where the order was issued,” said U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “Due to the excellent work of the West Virginia State Police, Mr. Munroe faces a long prison sentence for violating an order issued on the other side of the country.”

Munroe faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the firearms charge and up to five years for the protective order violation. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was prosecuted as a part of the Northern District of West Virginia’s Domestic Violence Reduction Initiative, formed in early 2023 to protect domestic violence victims, take dangerous criminals off the streets, and enhance community safety. The program focuses on keeping firearms out of the hands of violent offenders.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane prosecuting on behalf of the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the proceedings.

Munroe’s guilty plea serves as a stark reminder that domestic violence is a serious crime that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

This case is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and the justice system to keeping our communities safe from violent offenders.