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Press Release

Hagerstown residents admit to their roles in a firearms conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Hagerstown, Maryland residents have admitted to working together to illegally purchase firearms in Berkeley County, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Dwayne Anthony Battle, 37, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Violate Gun Control Act.” Battle admitted to working with Antoinette Pauleen McKenzie, 33, to illegally purchase firearms in Berkeley County and transfer those firearms to an out-of-state resident, violating the Gun Control Act. The conspiracy took place in August and September 2021.

McKenzie pleaded guilty to one count of “False Statement During Purchase of Firearm.” McKenzie admitted to lying to the licensed gun dealer, saying she was the true purchaser of the firearm, when the 9mm pistol was meant for someone else in August 2021 in Berkeley County.

Battle and McKenzie are each facing up to 10 years of incarceration 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 Eleanor F. Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The ATF investigated.

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

Updated June 2, 2022

Topic
Firearms Offenses