Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Myles Robert Williams, 37, of Beckley, was sentenced today to eight years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 26, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Williams in Beckley. The traffic stop occurred shortly after a controlled purchase of drugs was made from Williams. Officers searched the vehicle and found a Ruger model EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun, 41 grams of fentanyl, and $1,179. Williams admitted that he possessed the firearm and used it for protection.

Williams further admitted to possessing the fentanyl found in his vehicle, and that he intended to distribute it. Williams also admitted that he sold 1.3 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Beckley shortly before officers conducted the traffic stop.

On April 17, 2024, law enforcement officers responding to a reported shooting at a Beckley residence encountered Williams outside the residence and found a Springfield model Hellcat 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the ground near Williams. Officers also found an individual with a gunshot wound to the leg outside the residence. Williams told officers that he fired the pistol inside the residence.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Williams knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for common law robbery in Lincoln County, North Carolina, Superior Court on September 10, 2013.

Williams has a long criminal history that also includes prior convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon, trafficking opium or heroin, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.

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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-79.

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