Preston County man charged with illegal acquisition of a firearm

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury sitting in Martinsburg, West Virginia, returned an indictment charging Cory Jean Gainey, 24, of Reedsville, West Virginia, with illegally acquiring a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In October 2015, Gainey allegedly provided a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer stating that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm when in fact he was buying it for another individual.

Gainey was charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Provide a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm” and one count of “False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.” He faces up to ten years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for each count. 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 Traci M. Cook is handling the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, and the Morgantown Police Department is investigating.
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.