Stephanie Cohernour, Firearms Trafficking, West Virginia 2023

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Stephanie Cohernour, 33, of Fayetteville, West Virginia, has been sentenced for her role in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. Cohernour admitted to making false statements in the acquisition of firearms.

Cohernour was sentenced to five years of federal probation for her role in the conspiracy. She straw purchased firearms for the conspirators in exchange for money or drugs. The conspirators, led by Bisheem Jones, would tell the straw purchasers which firearms to buy and provide the money for the purchases.

Cohernour admitted to straw purchasing a Glock Model 19 Gen 5, 9mm pistol and a Glock, Model 19X, 9mm pistol for Jones on April 12, 2021. She falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473 that she was the buyer of the firearms when she knew she was purchasing the firearms for Jones and his trafficking conspiracy.

Of the over 140 firearms trafficked by the conspirators between early 2020 and mid-2021, approximately 45 were recovered at crime scenes primarily in Philadelphia and have been connected to two homicides, crimes of domestic violence, and other violent offenses. Cohernour straw purchased at least five firearms for the conspirators, including three recovered at crime scenes in Philadelphia.

Jones, the conspirators were able to traffic the firearms from the Beckley area to Philadelphia to sell for profit. The conspirators took the firearms back to Philadelphia to sell for profit. Cohernour is among 18 defendants who pleaded guilty in connection with the firearms trafficking.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Philadelphia Police Department. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Negar M. Kordestani and Steve Loew prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

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