Two Branchland Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearms Thefts

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Branchland men who were responsible for thefts of firearms from a Barboursville pawn shop were sentenced to federal prison yesterday, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Robert Lee Reid, 23, who previously entered guilty pleas to three counts of theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer and an additional count of possession of stolen firearms, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.  Jonathan Chafin, 18, who previously entered a guilty plea to theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.  Stuart commended the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Hamlin Police Department. 

“Unbelievably bad decisions were made by these two young men when they decided to steal guns,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And the last thing the City of Huntington needs is for its neighborhoods to be flooded with stolen firearms.” 

On three separate occasions, Reid broke into Sportsmen’s Gun and Pawn located at 6440 US Route 60 in Barboursville to steal firearms.  On May 15, 2017, Reid stole a total of 164 firearms from Sportsmen’s.  The firearms were subsequently sold by Reid in Huntington.  On September 29, 2017, Reid stole an additional 6 firearms from Sportsmen’s which he sold in the Guyandotte neighborhood of Huntington.  Finally, on December 7, 2017, Reid stole a total of 10 firearms from Sportsmen’s.  Reid was subsequently picked up in a vehicle and the vehicle was stopped in West Hamlin by a West Hamlin Police Officer.  During the traffic stop, the officer located the stolen firearms in the rear of the vehicle.  Chafin previously pleaded guilty to assisting Reid in the December theft and was present in the vehicle when the firearms were recovered.  Reid was also ordered to pay over $68,000 in restitution at today’s hearing.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

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