Clarksburg woman pleads guilty to unlawful purchase of a firearm

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Hannah Marie Elwell, 26, of Clarksburg, West Virginia pled guilty to unlawfully purchasing a firearm in federal court today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Elwell pled guilty to one count of “False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.” She admitted to falsely representing that she was the actual buyer of a .40 caliber pistol when she was actually attempting to purchase the firearm on behalf of another person.

She faces up to ten 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 Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.