Convicted Drug Felon Sentenced To Federal Prison For Illegal Firearm Possession

Huntington, W.Va. -  A 29 year-old Putnam County man was sentenced today to three years and ten months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Joseph R. Elswick, of Hurricane, West Virginia, previously pleaded guilty in November of 2013 to being a felon in possession of a firearm before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers in Huntington.  On December 27, 2012, Hurricane Police Officers responded to a call that a man was using drugs in a parked car.  The officers approached Elswick who was in the vehicle.  Elswick fled from the officers and upon his arrest was found to be in possession of a loaded .32 caliber pistol.  Elswick was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2009 felony drug conviction.  He had not had his right to possess a firearm restored. 

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hurricane Police Department.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Sharon M. Frazier handled the prosecution.