Steven Marvin Lawson Jr., Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2023

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Steven Marvin Lawson Jr., 29, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm in federal court. This is a serious crime that puts the community at risk and we are committed to holding those who commit these crimes accountable.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lawson admitted to possessing a Springfield Armory model XD .45-caliber pistol at a Beagle Club Road residence in Jumping Branch, Summers County, on September 28, 2020. This is a clear violation of federal law, which prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Lawson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for two counts of theft by receiving stolen property in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Superior Court on May 13, 2016.

Lawson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. This is a serious sentence that reflects the gravity of the crime.

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Will Thompson, made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT), and the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Their hard work and dedication to justice are what make cases like this possible.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Robeson and Kristin F. Scott are prosecuting the case.

Lawson's guilty plea is a significant development in this case and serves as a reminder that the U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of those who commit federal crimes in West Virginia. We will work tirelessly to ensure that those who break the law are held accountable for their actions.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-217.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/beckley-man-pleads-guilty-federal-gun-crime-3