Berkeley County man convicted of lying to purchase firearm

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kody William Brown, 21, of Inwood, West Virginia, was convicted of making false representations while attempting to purchase a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In February 2015, Brown attempted to purchase a .357 caliber revolver from a licensed firearms dealer in Morgan County, West Virginia. He misled the firearms dealer by indicating that he was purchasing the firearm for himself. In fact, he was purchasing the firearm for another individual who was prohibited from lawfully purchasing the gun.

Brown pled guilty to a criminal Information charging him with one count of “False Statement During Purchas of a Firearm.” He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Paul Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.