Detroit felon pleads guilty to federal gun crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man pleaded guilty today a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Deandre Lamar Harris, 31, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

On January 18, 2014, members of the West Virginia State Police conducted a search at 345 Sixth Avenue in Huntington, a residence used by Harris. The search was conducted after law enforcement received information that a stolen firearm been taken there to pay a drug debt to another individual. Law enforcement located Harris in the residence, along with two other individuals, one of whom was alleged to have received the firearm. At the time of the search, Harris was in possession of several rounds of .25 caliber ammunition. Harris was prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law because of felony convictions in 2007 in Cabell County Circuit Court for malicious wounding and for attempt to commit a felony.

Harris faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 2, 2017.

The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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 with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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