Charleston felon pleads guilty to federal gun crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Vincent Beatty, 39, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Beatty admitted that on August 7, 2017, he sold a Smith & Wesson, model 22A-1, .22 caliber pistol to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Beatty is prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of a 2007 felony conviction in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County, for aggravated assault.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys John Frail and Matt Davis are responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston 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 with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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