Hardy County man admits to firearms charge

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua A. Parker, of Baker, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Parker, age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Parker, having been convicted of four previous felonies, admitted to possessing a 9mm pistol in Hardy County in April 2017.

Parker faces up to 10 years 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.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Attorney General’s Office has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Attorney General’s Office announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.