Hurricane Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearm

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Hurricane man pleaded guilty today to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Derrick Lee Racer, 38, admitted that in the early morning hours of March 2, 2020, he was riding a bicycle through St. Albans and had a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver on his person. An officer with the St. Albans Police Department stopped Racer because he was not wearing a helmet, in violation of city ordinances. Racer admitted that he had the firearm and that he knew he should not be carrying it due to a 2005 felony conviction for attempted distribution of marijuana in Putnam County Circuit Court. At the time of the stop, Racer’s rights to possess a firearm had not been restored.

Racer faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on September 8, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott is handling the prosecution.

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. 2:20-cr-00095.

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