Dunbar felon pleads guilty to federal gun crime

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar woman pleaded guilty today to a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Amanda Renee Taylor, 40, entered her guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Taylor admitted that on February 7, 2017, she possessed two firearms, a Lorcin .380 caliber pistol and a High Standard .22 caliber revolver. Taylor further admitted that she stole mail and possessed methamphetamine and counterfeit money found when she was arrested. Taylor was prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of a 2009 felony drug conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Taylor faces up to 10 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on January 16, 2018.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before 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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