Two sentenced for unlawful possession of firearms

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two individuals were sentenced in federal court in Martinsburg today for unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Dustin Wade Hinckle, 30, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, stole a police vehicle during a May 2015 traffic stop in Morgan County, West Virginia. When Hinckle was subsequently apprehended, it was discovered that he had stolen two firearms from the police vehicle. Having previously been convicted of the felony offenses of “Breaking and Entering” and “Grand Larceny” in the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia, Hinckle is prohibited from possessing firearms. Following a two day trial in January 2016, a jury found Hinckle guilty of one count of “Felon in Possession of Firearms,” and one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearms.” He was sentenced today to 120 months in prison on each count. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 120 months in prison.

Jesse Shayde Kenney, 25, of La Vale, Maryland, who has a previous felony conviction in state court in Maryland, was discovered in unlawful possession of six rifles and one shotgun in June 2015 in Mineral County, West Virginia. Kenney was previously convicted of the felony offense of “Conspiracy to Commit Theft in an Amount Greater Than $500” in the Circuit Court of Allegany County, Maryland. He pled guilty in January 2016 to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” He was sentenced today to 70 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Camilletti prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated both defendants. The Mineral County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Office also investigated Kenney. The West Virginia State Police and the Morgan County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Department also investigated Hinckle.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.