Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Firearm Transfer

Donald Pyle, 44, of Bridgeport, Ohio, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegally transferring a firearm across state lines — a crime that cut through the heart of West Virginia’s gun control laws. The transaction, which occurred on May 23, 2016, involved a .22 caliber revolver handed off in Ohio County, West Virginia, and now carries the full weight of federal prosecution.

Pyle admitted in court to selling, transferring, and delivering the weapon to an individual in the state, violating federal statutes that strictly regulate the movement of firearms across state boundaries. The act, though seemingly small in scale, triggered a multi-agency investigation and underscores how even single-weapon transactions can land defendants in federal crosshairs.

He pled guilty to one count of “Interstate Transfer of a Firearm,” a charge that exposes him to up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. No plea deal details were disclosed, but under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the final sentence will hinge on the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history Pyle may have.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri, who emphasized the government’s commitment to cracking down on illegal gun trafficking, especially across state lines. “This isn’t just a paperwork violation,” Perri stated. “Every illegal firearm transfer puts weapons within reach of violent criminals and undermines public safety.”

Investigation was led by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force — a HIDTA-funded initiative — alongside agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Their joint efforts traced the firearm’s path and secured Pyle’s admission, showcasing the federal web of enforcement that monitors interstate weapons movement.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided over the hearing in Wheeling, West Virginia. Sentencing is pending, but the conviction marks another notch in the DOJ’s ongoing campaign against illegal firearm distribution. For Pyle, the price of one gun sold across a state line could soon mean years behind bars.

RELATED: Texas Courier Admits to Cross-Country Coke Run

RELATED: Texas Courier Admits Role in Cross-Country Coke Pipeline