Logan man admits to lying in attempt to retrieve pawned guns

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin today announced that a Logan County man pleaded guilty to making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms. Brian Keith Conley, 42, of Logan, admitted that he lied when attempting to retrieve three firearms he pawned at a local pawn shop.

Conley admitted that on October 29, 2014, in connection with attempting to retrieve the firearms, he completed a required federal form on which he claimed he had never been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. In fact, Conley knew he had previously been convicted in Logan County Magistrate Court of the misdemeanor crime of domestic battery. Conley was unable to retrieve the guns from the pawn shop, and law enforcement was alerted to Conley’s possession and subsequent attempt to retrieve the firearms.

Conley faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced on September 1, 2015. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. is presiding over the case.

The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney C. Haley Bunn handled the prosecution.

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 working with existing local programs that target gun crime.