Mercer County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Torrey Hairston, 35, of Bluefield, West Virginia, was sentenced today to one year and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 19, 2021, law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at Hairston’s apartment. Officers encountered Hairston and found one firearm in Hairston’s pocket and a second firearm on the apartment floor. Hairston admitted to possessing both firearms, a Baretta Nano 9mm pistol and a Glock 26 9mm pistol.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Hairston knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in Mercer County Circuit Court on March 27, 2017.

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

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell 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. 1:21-cr-233.

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