FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 17, 2011
PRINCETON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON ILLEGAL FIREARM POSSESSION CHARGE
BECKLEY, W.Va. –Stanley Martin, 31, of Princeton, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 34 months in prison by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On April 26, 2011, during an encounter with officers with the Bluefield Police Department, the defendant dropped a .45 caliber pistol. The firearm was subsequently seized by police. Also recovered from the defendant’s person was a clip containing seven rounds of ammunition.
On February 16, 2010, Martin was convicted of distribution of a quantity of crack cocaine in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, and did not have his right to possess a firearm restored.
Because the defendant was on supervised release at the time of his offense, the Court imposed an additional six months in prison and ordered that it be served consecutively to the 34-month sentence.
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.
This case was investigated by the Bluefield Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution.
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