Martinsburg man admits to firearms violation

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Darnell M. Garnett, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Garnett, age 22, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Garnett, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior felony conviction, admitted to having a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and a 5.56x45 caliber rifle in October 2018 in Berkeley County.

Garnett 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Martinsburg Police Department investigated.

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