Martinsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing, Manufacturing, and Trafficking Firearms

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Martinsburg, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession, manufacturing, and trafficking firearms, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Harry Miller, age 47, of Martinsburg, PA, pleaded guilty to Counts One, Two, Four, Five, Seven, Eight, and Nine of the Information before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in and around May 2022 and continuing thereafter until on or about April 27, 2023, Miller, knowingly and willfully conspired to engage and engaged in the business of manufacturing or dealing in firearms without a license, possessed a machinegun, trafficked firearms, and engaged in the business of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without having paid the special occupational tax required by 26 U.S.C. Sec. 5801. Further, on or about March 21, 2023, and March 22, 2023, Miller unlawfully possessed a firearm after knowing he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowingly and unlawfully transferred firearms that were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Records.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 70 years in prison, a total fine of $1,270,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Miller.

This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is
the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.