William Loren Hoffman, Making a False Entry in records by Federal Firearms Dealer, West Virginia 2018

Man Admits to Illicit Firearms Sale in Berkeley County

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - William Loren Hoffman, a 52-year-old from Falling Waters, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to a firearms sales violation, according to United States Attorney Bill Powell.

Hoffman, who sold a .45 ACP caliber Hi-Point rifle in October 2018 in Berkeley County, knowingly failed to make an appropriate entry of the sale in his records. He has admitted to making a false entry in records by a federal firearms dealer.

The crime took place in October 2018, and Hoffman faces up to one year incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The Attorney General's Office has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Attorney General announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney's Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government, while the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/berkeley-county-man-admits-illegal-firearms-sale