Charleston man pleads guilty to illegal possession of a firearm

Charleston, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Richard Howard King II, 20, entered his guilty plea in federal court to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

King admitted that on July 16, 2015, he was carrying a concealed handgun when he was approached by Charleston Police Department officers. After King informed the officers that he was armed, the officers removed a Glock Model 22, .40 caliber pistol from his waistband. King also admitted that he possessed four other firearms from July 5, 2013, through July 16, 2015, one of which was stolen. At the time he possessed each of these firearms, King admitted that he was a habitual, unlawful user of marijuana.

King faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on April 11, 2016.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution. The defendant entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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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