Smith Gets 36 Months for Illegal Revolver

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ryan Matthew Smith, 40, of Clarksburg is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 36 months for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence was handed down today by Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley, capping a case that exposed a clear disregard for the law.

Smith pled guilty in October 2017 to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” The charge stemmed from an incident in September 2016, where Smith was found to be in possession of a .357 caliber revolver in Harrison County. The fact that Smith was already a convicted felon and misdemeanor offender made the possession illegal under federal law. He wasn’t supposed to *have* a gun.

The investigation, a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Clarksburg Police Department, revealed Smith’s prior criminal history in Harrison County Circuit Court. Details of those previous convictions weren’t immediately released, but they were sufficient to disqualify him from legally owning a firearm. This wasn’t a first offense – Smith knew the rules.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook relentlessly prosecuted the case, building a solid argument that Smith’s actions posed a risk to public safety. The government’s focus wasn’t just on the gun itself, but on the danger posed by an individual with a record attempting to arm themselves. The evidence clearly demonstrated Smith’s willingness to flout the law.

The 36-month sentence sends a message: those with prior convictions who illegally possess firearms will face serious consequences. While Smith’s defense team likely argued for leniency, Judge Keeley clearly deemed the crime serious enough to warrant a substantial prison term. The streets of Clarksburg are a little safer with Smith behind bars.

United States Attorney Bill Powell announced the sentencing, emphasizing the commitment of his office and federal agencies to tackling illegal gun possession. This case underscores the importance of collaboration between local and federal law enforcement to keep weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. The investigation remains closed, but the Grimy Times will continue to monitor Smith’s case and any related developments.

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