Michelle Grim, Megan Bickford, Brandon Lawson, Straw Purchases, West Virginia 2022

BECKLEY, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, three individuals pleaded guilty to federal charges involving the straw purchases of multiple firearms in Beckley, West Virginia.

Michelle Grim, 51, of Eccles, and Megan Bickford, 34, of Oak Hill, each pleaded guilty to making false statements in the acquisition of firearms, while Bickford’s husband, Brandon Lawson, 32, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Grim and Bickford each admitted to lying on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473, or ATF Form 4473. In making separate firearms purchases, Grim and Bickford each certified that they were the buyer of the firearm on the form when each knew they were purchasing firearms for someone else.

Grim admitted to lying on an ATF Form 4473 when she purchased a Taurus, G3C, 9mm pistol in Beckley on November 5, 2020, and further admitted to carrying out at least 17 straw purchases. Bickford admitted to lying on an ATF Form 4473 when she purchased a IWI, Model Jericho 941, 9mm pistol in Rainelle on November 2, 2020, and further admitted to carrying out at least 54 straw purchases throughout 2020.

Lawson admitted to transferring a Ruger, Model LC9S, 9mm pistol to the out-of-state resident in Beckley on March 11, 2021. Lawson further admitted to aiding and abetting Bickford in the illegal purchase of firearms during 2020 and 2021.

The three defendants now face serious consequences for their actions. Bickford and Lawson are scheduled to be sentenced on September 23, 2022, while Grim is set to be sentenced on September 30, 2022. Each faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the ATF for conducting the investigation. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is prosecuting the cases.

With the guilty pleas, the community can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that those responsible for these serious crimes will be held accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates on the sentencing of these individuals.

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