Hardy County Man Admits to Federal Firearms Violation

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Justin Ray Guessford, age 40, of Fisher, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, Guessford, also known as “Justin Ray Gilbert,” was found with a .22 caliber rifle in Hardy County. Guessford is prohibited from having firearms because of prior malicious wounding and child neglect convictions.

Guessford is facing up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.