Mingo County felon pleads guilty to federal gun charge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mingo County felon pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Robert Lee Brewer, 57, of Kermit, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On January 20, 2017, deputies with the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office went to Brewer’s house to investigate a report that he had purchased a stolen gun. During an interview with law enforcement, Brewer admitted that he bought the gun, an F.I.E., Model E15, .22 caliber revolver. He further admitted that he knew he was not supposed to possess guns because of his felony conviction. Brewer additionally admitted that he had a rifle in his residence, and gave deputies permission to search. Deputies located the rifle, a Savage Arms, Model Mark II, .22 caliber rifle in Brewer’s house.

Through further investigation of pawn shop records, law enforcement determined that the .22 rifle was also stolen. Furthermore, Brewer admitted that in November 2016, he had another stolen firearm, a CBC, Model 715T, .22 caliber rifle, in his residence. Brewer was prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of a 2012 conviction in Mingo County Circuit Court for delivery of hydrocodone.

The Mingo County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the plea hearing.

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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