Indiana Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Steven Loren Mandrell, 44, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 20, 2021, law enforcement officers in Parkersburg pulled over a vehicle driven by Mandrell because it displayed a license plate for a different vehicle. As an officer approached the vehicle, Mandrell was seen leaning toward the steering wheel as if he was concealing something underneath the driver’s seat. Officers searched the vehicle and recovered two firearms under Mandrell’s seat, a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol and a Bul Transmark 9mm pistol. Mandrell admitted to possessing the firearms.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Mandrell knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions: for delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful entry of a building in Wood County Circuit Court on January 27, 2010; and for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and failure to appear in Washington County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court on November 28, 2017.

Mandrell has a long criminal history across four states that totals 26 criminal convictions. His numerous misdemeanor convictions include battery, domestic battery, assault, prohibited possession of a firearm, fleeing from an officer, destruction of property, receiving or transferring stolen goods, contempt of court, and larceny.                 

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-231.

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