Charleston felon sentenced to over eight years in federal prison for gun crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to eight years and four months in federal prison for a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Randy Allen Taylor, 34, previously pleaded guilty to a single-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On September 4, 2016, Taylor consented to a search by the Charleston Police Department of a hotel room at the Courtyard Marriott in Charleston. During the search, officers recovered a Kel-Tec, Model PF-9, 9mm pistol and approximately 3.7 ounces of methamphetamine. Following the search of the hotel room, Taylor consented to a search of his 2005 Lincoln Aviator. Inside the vehicle, officers recovered a stolen Cobra, Model CA-380, .380 caliber handgun.

Taylor was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2011 felony conviction in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

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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