Maryland man guilty of possessing stolen firearms

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Nevyou Alemu, 21, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was convicted today of possessing stolen firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Alemu conspired with Kristopher Seth Davis, 20, of Silver Spring, Maryland and Adesola Vanzant, 21, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to steal firearms. In April 2014, the defendants traveled across state lines from Maryland to New Milton, West Virginia and stole approximately 14 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from a residence. The defendants then transported the stolen firearms and ammunition back across state lines when they returned from West Virginia to Maryland. Specifically, the defendants were discovered in April 2014 in Doddridge County, West Virginia in possession of a stolen .22 caliber pistol and a 20 gauge shotgun.

Following a 2 day trial, U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley found Alemu guilty of one count of “Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Firearms,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Stolen Firearms.” He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the conspiracy charge and up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the possession charge.

Davis and Vanzant each previously pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession of Stolen Firearms.” They each face 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 defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.