Randy David May, a 37-year-old from Franklin, West Virginia, is headed to federal prison for 70 months after being sentenced on a firearms charge that exposed a pattern of dangerous behavior. The conviction stems from an August 2016 incident in Pendleton County where May was found in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun — a weapon he was legally barred from owning due to multiple prior felony convictions.
May pleaded guilty in October 2017 to the federal charge of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm,” a serious offense that carries stiff penalties under federal law. Despite the passage of time between the arrest and sentencing, prosecutors emphasized that May’s criminal history left no room for leniency. With three prior felony convictions already on his record, the court treated his possession of the shotgun not as a mistake, but as a deliberate threat to public safety.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, tracing the firearm back to May after it was discovered during a broader probe into illegal weapons activity in the region. Agents confirmed the weapon was functional and ready for use, raising alarms about potential escalation had it not been seized.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner, who prosecuted the case, argued for a substantial sentence, citing May’s repeated disregard for the law. “This wasn’t a case of mistaken ownership or an accidental oversight,” Warner stated. “May knowingly possessed a deadly weapon despite being a convicted felon. That’s not just illegal — it’s dangerous.”
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey, presiding over the case in Elkins, West Virginia, ultimately agreed, handing down the 70-month sentence as a deterrent to others who might consider violating federal firearms restrictions. Judge Bailey made no remarks during sentencing, but the weight of the decision echoed through the courtroom.
May will serve his sentence in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Authorities warn that individuals with felony records who possess firearms will be pursued aggressively. The ATF reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on illegal gun ownership, especially in rural areas where enforcement has historically lagged. For now, Randy David May’s choices have landed him behind bars — and the community is breathing a little easier.
RELATED: Juan David Acosta Sentenced for Illegal Silicone Injections
RELATED: Ogden Man Gets 36 Months for Tax Court Obstruction
Related Federal Cases
- Randy David May Indicted on Federal Firearm Charges · West Virginia
- Rollie C. Poynter Jr. Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · Kentucky
- Russell Cary Owens Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · North Carolina
- Thomas Dale Sims Jr. Sentenced for Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Archie Ray Arbogast Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons