Huntington Woman Sentenced to Prison for Straw Firearm Purchase

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Whitney Kathlyn Hershey, 35, of Huntington, was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for making false statements in the acquisition of firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hershey bought a Glock, Model 27, .40-caliber pistol from a Huntington pawn shop on February 14, 2020. Hershey admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473. Hershey certified that she was the purchaser of the firearm when Hershey knew she was buying it for someone else.

Hershey further admitted to stating on the forms that she was the actual purchaser when she was not while buying firearms at Huntington pawn shops on three other occasions: a Ruger AR556 .300-caliber pistol on April 13, 2020; a Century Arms 7.62x39mm pistol on April 14, 2020; and a Taurus Model PT111, G2A 9mm pistol on July 1, 2020.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-23.

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