Convicted Felon Sentenced For Illegally Possessing More Than 80 Firearms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A felon convicted in 2003 to unlawful wounding was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.  Dorsey Woolwine, Jr., 63, of Belle, West Virginia previously pleaded guilty in January of 2014 to being a felon in possession of firearms.

On March 24, 2012, investigators from the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) searched Woolwine’s Simmons Creek Road residence and seized 29 firearms including a sawed-off rifle.  On May 15, 2013, members of the West Virginia State Police executed a search warrant at Woolwine’s residence and seized 52 firearms, methamphetamine, and scales.  Two of the firearms had been reported stolen.  Woolwine told investigators that he had been selling methamphetamine from the residence for approximately six years. 

MDENT and the WVSP conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks handled the prosecution.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

This case was 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.