A Monongalia County woman is behind bars after admitting to possessing two loaded handguns last August — despite being legally barred from owning any firearm. Tara Nicole Shock, 28, of Rosedale, West Virginia, was sentenced this week to 12 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Bill Powell.
Shock pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, admitting she had a .40 caliber pistol and a .45 caliber pistol in August 2018. The weapons were recovered during an investigation that revealed Shock had prior convictions barring her from possessing firearms under federal law. The discovery sparked immediate federal charges.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s signature initiative targeting violent crime. PSN focuses enforcement on repeat and high-risk offenders while coordinating with local agencies and reentry programs to create long-term public safety gains. In Shock’s case, federal and local authorities moved quickly to intercept potential danger.
Investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with critical support from the Morgantown Police Department and the Williamstown Police Department. Their joint efforts confirmed Shock’s possession of the firearms and her prohibited status, laying the foundation for swift prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower handled the prosecution, arguing for accountability given Shock’s status as a prohibited person. Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided over the sentencing, ultimately imposing the 12-month prison term in federal custody.
The conviction underscores federal crackdowns on illegal gun possession in West Virginia, especially under PSN’s targeted enforcement model. Authorities warn that individuals with prior convictions who possess firearms will face federal time — no exceptions.
Related Federal Cases
- Rollie C. Poynter Jr. Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · Kentucky
- Russell Cary Owens Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · North Carolina
- Thomas Dale Sims Jr. Sentenced for Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- Preston County Man Charged in Firearm Straw Purchase · West Virginia
- Archie Ray Arbogast Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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