Brian K. Trent, 30, of Bradley, has been sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence, imposed by Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk, will be followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the events leading to Trent’s sentencing began on September 12, 2023, when law enforcement officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the Stanaford area of Raleigh County. Upon arrival, officers found Trent and another individual passed out in the vehicle. A firearm was visible between the driver’s seat and the center console of the vehicle, prompting further investigation.
Officers soon discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen in South Carolina, and that Trent was wanted on an active misdemeanor warrant and a parole violation. A search of Trent and the vehicle yielded a significant cache of firearms, including a Taurus model G2 9mm pistol, a North American .22-caliber magnum revolver, a Marlin model 60 .22-caliber rifle, a Noble model 60H 12-gauge shotgun, and a Taurus .32-caliber revolver. Additionally, officers seized approximately 27.7 grams of fentanyl.
Further investigation revealed that one of the seized firearms had been reported stolen in Fayette County. This discovery underscored the seriousness of Trent’s crimes, particularly given his prior felony conviction for destruction of property in Raleigh County Circuit Court on November 29, 2016. Federal law explicitly prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition, making Trent’s actions a clear violation of this law.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in bringing Trent to justice. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case, which is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, and setting focused enforcement priorities.
The sentencing of Brian K. Trent serves as a testament to the commitment of law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combating gun violence and ensuring public safety. As part of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy, launched on May 26, 2021, this case demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts to strengthen Project Safe Neighborhoods and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. A copy of the press release and related court documents can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia and on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-58.
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Related Federal Cases
- Trent Sentenced for Gun Crime · South Carolina
- Jeffrey Sells, Jerod Kernen Sentenced on Firearm Charges · South Carolina
- LA AG Warns Banks on Firearm Purchase Tracking · Indiana
- Brad Wendt Faces Federal Firearm Charges · New Hampshire
- Covington Man Gets 15 Years for Stealing 24 Guns · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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