FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 22, 2011
HUNTINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON ILLEGAL FIREARMS POSSESSION AND COUNTERFEITING CHARGES
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Joshua Douglas Hatten, 22, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for being a felon in possession of firearms and making counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes. Hatten admitted that he knowingly sold firearms, controlled substances, and counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (CFRN) to undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) between September and October 2010. The defendant admitted that on September 24, 2010, he sold two .380 caliber pistols to an undercover ATF agent in exchange for $200. Also, on September 28, 2010, the defendant sold a .308 caliber rifle to an undercover ATF agent in exchange for $350. On or about October 19, 2010, Hatten sold a 9-millimeter pistol to an undercover ATF agent for $175 and on October 19 and 28, 2010, he sold counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes to an undercover agent.
On November 1, 2010, Hatten was driving a vehicle that was stopped near Huntington by a trooper with the West Virginia State Police. During the traffic stop, the defendant and his associate were subsequently found to be in possession of counterfeit money. That same day, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Huntington residence where they seized an all-in-one printer, high-quality linen paper, counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes and other materials commonly used to manufacture counterfeit currency. In January, investigators executed a second search warrant at Hatten’s Huntington residence where they seized additional quantities of counterfeit currency and a Norinco SKS assault rifle, among other items. Hatten waived his Miranda rights and admitted to making and passing counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes in and around Huntington.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service, Huntington Police Department and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of a yearlong undercover operation that targeted illegal drugs and firearms crimes in the Huntington area. The operation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and assisted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Huntington Police Department, and various other law enforcement agencies. It was announced to the public in March after a grand jury returned indictments against 55 defendants.
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