FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 12, 2011
HUNTINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON ILLEGAL FIREARMS POSSESSION CHARGE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Kenneth Allen Barker, 31, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The defendant pleaded guilty in May. Barker admitted that on October 14, 2010, he traveled to and entered the Smokin’ Aces store that was located in Huntington. Barker further admitted that he was in possession of a Savage .22 caliber rifle which he subsequently sold to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in exchange for $60. The defendant admitted to possessing a total of three firearms. Barker was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on a January 2007 felony conviction in the Court of Common Pleas in Lawrence County, Ohio.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
This case is being 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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