Preston County man convicted on firearm and methamphetamine charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Star Haggarty, 37, of Albright, West Virginia, was convicted in federal court today for unlawful possession of a firearm and methamphetamine distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Haggarty, who had previously been convicted of felony offenses in California, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He admitted to possessing 12 firearms and crystal meth in December 2016.

Haggarty pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” He faces up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine for the firearm count and up to 20 years and a $1,000,000 fine for the methamphetamine charge.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the United States Marshals Service investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.