Weirton man sentenced for unlawful possession of firearms

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Ian K. Saunders, 35, of Weirton, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Saunders, who is addicted to heroin, was discovered in January 2014 in possession of four rifles and two pistols. He pled guilty in August 2014 to one count of “Unlawful Drug User and Addict in Possession of a Firearm.”  As part of the sentence issued today, Saunders was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,000.00.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department, and the Weirton Police Department investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.