Robert William Moats, Gun Crimes, West Virginia 2020
A Morgantown man has admitted to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Robert William Moats, 34, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with a removed serial number.
Morgantown, West Virginia - A man from Morgantown has been charged with federal gun crimes. Robert William Moats, 34, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with a removed serial number. The crimes were committed on March 21, 2018.
Moats admitted that while in Charleston, he was in possession of a Phoenix Arms, Raven, .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number. He also admitted that he knew he was a convicted felon and that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a 2003 felony conviction in Monongalia County Circuit Court for second degree murder.
Moats faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced on December 22, 2020.
According to the press statement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Cremeans is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes.
The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the Project Guardian partners.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →