Bluefield felon pleads guilty to federal gun crime

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Bluefield man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Cory Lee Callen, 27, entered his guilt plea to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In late March 2017, Callen’s former fiancé obtained a domestic violence protective order against him. On March 29, 2017, officers with the Bluefield Police Department escorted her to the Washington Street apartment in Bluefield that she formerly shared with Callen to collect her personal belongings. While there, officers located three loaded firearms in a safe in Callen’s bedroom, along with a variety of ammunition. The guns law enforcement discovered were a CBC, Mossberg International, Model 715T, .22 caliber rifle, a Marlin, Model 782, .22 caliber rifle, and a Zijang, Model Catamount Fury, 12 gauge shotgun. Callen was prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of two felony convictions in 2012 in Mercer County Circuit Court, one for first degree robbery and one for wanton endangerment.

Callen faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018.

The Bluefield Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey is handling the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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