A Monongalia County man admits to firearms conspiracy charge

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia man has admitted to a charge involving an illegal firearms operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Tommy Calhoun, age 52, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Violate Federal Firearms Laws.” Calhoun admitted to being involved in a conspiracy that included making false statements to purchase firearms, trading firearms for controlled substances, and transporting and selling the firearms in New York. The crime occurred in Morgantown, Monongalia County and elsewhere from May 2017 to June 2017.

Calhoun faces up to five 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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions 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, Attorney General Sessions 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 Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.