R. Booth Goodwin II, United States Attorney
Southern District of West Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melvin Smith
June 7, 2011 melvin.smith@usdoj.gov
ST. ALBANS MAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Guy Escue III, 26, of St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia was sentenced today in federal court to 84 months in prison by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On May 24, 2010, West Virginia State troopers arrived at the defendant’s St. Albans residence to investigate a tip regarding suspected drug activity. Officers were provided access to the residence by defendant’s father, who answered the door at the time. The defendant admitted that he informed law enforcement that he had a firearm underneath a mattress inside his bedroom. Officers subsequently discovered a loaded pistol underneath the defendant’s mattress. The .380 pistol was previously reported stolen. Escue was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on two prior felony convictions.
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.
The investigation was conducted by the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Steven Loew handled the prosecution.
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