Wetzel County man admits to firearms charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph Harrison, of Pine Grove, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Harrison, age 48, pled guilty to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.” Harrison, having previously been convicted of a felony, is accused of having a .22 caliber revolver, and rounds of ammunition for the firearm in October 2017 in Wetzel County.

Harrison faces up to 10 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.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.