Two Upshur County men admit to their roles in a firearms conspiracy

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Buckhannon, West Virginia men have admitted today to their roles in a firearms theft and sale scheme, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Michael Lough, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearm - Aiding and Abetting,” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Lough, being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, admitted to receiving, possessing, bartering or selling 21 firearms in Upshur County in October 2016.

Benjamin Tyler Nazelrod, age 27, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Firearms.” He admitted to conspiring with others to receive, possess, barter, sell, conceal and dispose of 21 firearms in Upshur County in October 2016. 

Lough faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Nazelrod 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. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.