Charleston man sentenced to Federal prison for gun crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for a gun crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Richard Howard King II, 21, previously pleaded guilty in January 2016 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 the firearms, King admitted that he was a habitual, unlawful user of marijuana.

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. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston 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.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews