Felon in Possession of a Firearm Lands West Virginia Man in Hot Water
A Detroit man is facing serious consequences after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in West Virginia. Tristian Gerrell-Robert Murphy, 35, was found in possession of two loaded pistols in St. Albans, West Virginia on June 10, 2024.
Murphy, who has a prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on October 21, 2021, knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Murphy possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol found under the driver seat of a vehicle he operated, and a Taurus 9mm pistol found in the trunk. Both firearms were loaded.
Murphy is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country.
Related Federal Cases
- Kelvin Bradley, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2020 · Tennessee
- Omarr Boone, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2021 · California
- Timothy Jarrett Brown, Felon in Possession, West Virginia 2023 · Michigan
- Jason Randall Howard, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2016 · Michigan
- Antonio Parnell, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2018 · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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