Harrison County man indicted on firearms charges

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Matthew Scott Collins, of Stonewood, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Collins, age 36, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearm,” and one count of “Possession of Unregistered Silencer.” Collins, a person prohibited from having a firearm, is accused of having a .22 caliber rifle, a 9mm pistol, and a .223 caliber rifle in Barbour County in July 2018. All three firearms are stolen. Collins is also accused of having an unregistered .300 caliber silencer.

Collins faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the unlawful possession and the stolen firearm counts. He also faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 fine for the silencer count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.