FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 19, 2011
CHARLESTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL FIREARM POSSESSION
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Bernie D. Lamb, 24, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today in federal court before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. to being a felon in possession of a firearm. On August 15, 2011, two outstanding arrest warrants from Kanawha County were issued for the defendant. That same day, officers with the Charleston Police Department observed the defendant on the front porch of a Charleston residence and subsequently arrested him. At the time of the arrest, the defendant informed police that he possessed a firearm in his waistband. Officers removed a loaded .38 caliber pistol, along with an extra magazine of ammunition, from the defendant’s possession.
Lamb was convicted in November 2007 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County of felony wanton endangerment involving a firearm and did not have his rights to possess a firearm restored.
Lamb faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on March 20, 2012.
The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William King is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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