CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The grim tally of firearms violations in West Virginia took a fresh hit today as Rodney S. Knotts, 55, from Ravenna, Ohio, was slammed with a 20-month federal prison sentence for his unlawful possession of a firearm.
Knotts, a three-time felon, was caught selling firearms, ammunition, and parts in Ritchie County. His criminal history disqualified him from owning firearms due to the severity of his previous offenses. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation that led to Knott’s downfall.
In a separate but equally grim tale, Daniel Earl Spell, 35, from Fairmont, West Virginia, was exposed for his illegal possession of a pistol in Marion County. Spell has been flagged due to prior domestic battery and felony convictions, which bar him from owning firearms. He now faces up to 15 years in federal prison on each count.
The sentence will be determined by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors after a federal district court judge weighs in. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rhee is spearheading the prosecution for both cases.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a broad Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and safeguarding communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the sentencing hearing, ensuring that justice was served for both Knotts and Spell.
Related Federal Cases
- Ohio Felon Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession in W. Virginia · West Virginia
- Ohio Man Knotts Sentenced for Gun Violation in West Virginia · West Virginia
- Ohio Man Sentenced for Illegal Gun Transfer · West Virginia
- Marshall Co. Man Accused of Lying to Buy Gun for Felon · West Virginia
- Felon Gray Gets 16 Months for Gun Possession · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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