Grant County man guilty of firearm charge

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Petersburg, West Virginia man was convicted today of a firearm violation, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Benjamin Wayne Hyre, 37, pled guilty to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” Hyre, having previously been convicted of two separate felonies in Grant County Circuit Court, admitted to having in his possession a .22-250 caliber rifle. The crime occurred in March 2016 in Grant County.

Hyre 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.