Charleston Felon Sentenced To Prison For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Keary A. Drake, 45, of Charleston, was sentenced today to five months in prison followed by five months of home confinement for being a felon in illegal possession of firearms, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.  The firearms have been returned to their lawful owner.

Drake, along with Lucas Lynch, a co-conspirator, entered into a scheme to sell two firearms and split the proceeds of the sale.  Drake is prohibited from possessing any guns due to a prior grand larceny felony conviction from April 2, 2002.  On September 8, 2013, Drake and Lynch drove to a St. Albans home where they picked up two guns.  While driving through St. Albans, St. Albans Patrolman Phillip Bass attempted to pull over Drake for a traffic infraction.  Both guns (a Bushmaster .223 rifle and Ithaca shotgun) were in Drake’s car at the time.  Drake did not immediately pull over.  Lynch jumped from Drake’s car around Rock Lake, South Charleston.   Drake continued to evade police until his car engine malfunctioned in South Charleston and he was forced to stop.  Drake gave a statement to law enforcement admitting his participation in the scheme and that he knew he was not permitted to possess the firearms.  Lynch, Drake’s co-conspirator, also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2014.  Lynch faces up to 10 years’ incarceration and a $250,000 dollar fine. 

The St. Albans Police Department conducted the investigation, assisted by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Enforcement.  Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Goes and Jennifer Rada prosecuted the matter on behalf of the United States.  United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed today’s sentence.