Husband and Wife Plead Guilty to Federal Charges

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – A St. Paul, Virginia man who illegally possessed more than a dozen firearms, and his wife who lied to federal agents to try to keep him out of trouble, have both pleaded guilty to federal charges, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced today.

Crystal Dione Hyde, 34, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to one count of lying to a federal agent. At sentencing, Hyde faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. She will be sentenced on November 19, 2018.

Patrick Steven Hyde, 39, pleaded guilty last week to one count of being a previously convicted felon illegally in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, Patrick Hyde faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to ten years in prison. He will be sentenced on November 8, 2018.

“As this case indicates, we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute convicted felons who unlawfully possess firearms,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated.  “I am grateful for the leadership of the ATF and the participation of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office in this important violence-reduction initiative.”   

“Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals has been a top priority for me,” said Attorney General Mark Herring.  “It is all too easy for felons to get their hands on firearms in Virginia and I appreciate the dedication of our law enforcement partners to investigate these cases. My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement to bring those who illegally possess guns to justice and keep our communities safe.”  

According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, on December 17, 2015, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted a search of the mobile home and outbuilding in St. Paul, Virginia where Steven and Crystal Hyde resided. During that search, investigators recovered 14 firearms and many rounds of ammunition. The firearms recovered included five semi-automatic rifles and two semi-automatic pistols. Steven Hyde is a previously convicted felon who is barred from legally possessing a firearm.

When interviewed by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Crystal Hyde told investigators she purchased and possessed all of the weapons and ammunition recovered during the search. However, subsequent investigation revealed that the firearms and ammunition did in fact belong to Steven Hyde and that Crystal Hyde had helped her husband, whom she knew to be prohibited from possessing firearms, acquire the weapons.  The investigation further revealed that Crystal Hyde lied to investigators about the firearms.   

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, is prosecuting the case for the United States.