William Torres, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2013

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – In a shocking turn of events, a local resident has been brought to justice for a serious firearms offense. 27-year-old William Torres, also known as ‘BILLY,’ was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.

The crime took place on December 7, 2012, in Wheeling, where Torres possessed a firearm despite having a prior felony conviction from the New York County Supreme Court for the felony offense of Attempted Robbery, First Degree. This egregious violation of the law has earned Torres a lengthy prison sentence.

Torres entered a guilty plea on March 5, 2013, to the charge of ‘Felon in Possession of a Firearm.’ The plea was accepted by Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. in United States District Court in Wheeling.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced the sentencing and praised the efforts of the investigators who brought the case to a successful conclusion. The case was prosecuted by USA Ihlenfeld and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin, with the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and the Wheeling Police Department.

Torres was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. As he begins his prison sentence, the community can rest a little easier knowing that a potential threat has been removed.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of strict gun laws and the consequences of breaking them. We must continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe from the scourge of gun violence.

Torres’ sentencing is a victory for justice and a testament to the hard work of law enforcement agencies in West Virginia.

Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs Specialist, (304) 234-0100, 1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000, Wheeling, WV 26003. Follow us on Twitter @NDWVnews.

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