Saunders Busted for Gun Crime After Prior Felony Convictions

Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

A 33-year-old man from Mabscott, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to a federal gun crime after law enforcement found a loaded handgun during his arrest on a felony warrant, according to the Department of Justice.

Justin L. Saunders, 33, of Mabscott, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court documents show that on May 30, 2023, officers found a Ruger model EC9s 9mm handgun on Saunders during his arrest.

Saunders is no stranger to the law, as he has prior felony convictions for first-degree robbery and malicious wounding in Raleigh County Circuit Court back in June 2012. Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition.

As a result, Saunders is facing a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2024.

United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, saying in a statement, “I commend the ATF and Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office for their tireless efforts in keeping our communities safe.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian D. Parsons and Andrew D. Isabell. United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing.

A copy of this press release can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia’s website, along with related court documents and information under Case No. 5:23-cr-185 on PACER.