Beckley Man Sentenced on Federal Firearm Charge

Beckley, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Beckley man was sentenced to 12 months in prison on a federal firearm charge.  Jeffrey Alpaugh, 47, pled guilty in April to dealing firearms without a license.  Stuart commended the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley Police Department.

“This is how guns get into the wrong hands,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Alpaugh was selling guns without a license. Criminals get their guns from guys like Alpaugh.  To ensure public safety, this United States Attorney will aggressively enforce federal firearms laws to keep bad guys from using those guns to hurt good people.” 

Alpaugh admitted that from in or about February 2017, to on or about October 30, 2017, at or near Beckley and elsewhere, he willfully engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license.  Specifically, during that time frame he offered firearms for sale at flea markets and gun shows in Raleigh and Monroe Counties on almost a weekly basis.  At all relevant times, Alpaugh was not licensed under the provisions of Chapter 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code as a manufacturer, importer, or dealer in firearms.  On October 30, 2017, ATF agents executed a search warrant at Alpaugh’s home and seized 152 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.  Any and all such firearms and ammunition will be forfeited and abandoned by him as set out in the plea agreement. 

United States District Judge Irene Berger imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States John File handled the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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