Harrison County man pleads guilty to unlawful purchase of a firearm

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Plaugher, 26, of Clarksburg, West Virginia pled guilty to providing a false statement while attempting to purchase a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

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

He 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 David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.