Wetzel County man admits to firearms violations

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph Harrison, of Pine Grove, West Virginia, has admitted to firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Harrison, age 49, pled guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.” Harrison, who is not permitted to have a firearm because of a prior convictions, admitted to having a .45 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number and ammunition in June 2019 in Wetzel County. 

Harrison faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for unlawful possession and faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the obliterated serial number. 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 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 P. Mazzone presided.