ATF, Firearms Industry Offer Reward in Barboursville Firearms Theft

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) – the trade association for the firearms industry – have announced a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of firearms from Sportsmen’s Gun and Pawn, a federal firearms licensee.

ATF is offering a reward of up to $2,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total possible reward of up to $5,000.

On May 15, 2017, unknown persons burglarized Sportsmen’s Gun and Pawn, located in Barboursville, by forcibly gaining entry into the store and stealing more than 100 firearms.

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867), email ATFTips@atf.gov (link sends e-mail), contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips, or texted to 63975 using the code ATFLOU. Tips can also be submitted by using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com (link is external). All tips will be kept confidential.

The reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.  ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

Felon Wounded in Drug Deal Gunfight Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegal Firearm Possession

One Man Killed in Early Morning Shootout at Downtown Seattle Gas Station

A 25-year-old Seattle man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison and five years of supervised release for three felony counts related to illegal gun possession, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. FRANKIE MANUEL MIRANDA survived an August 2015, gun battle inside a car at a downtown Seattle Shell gas station. In the shooting, another young man was shot in the head and killed. The shooting occurred during a drug deal involving MIRANDA and three others. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said, “The Defendant armed himself not once, but three times with a firearm. His decisions resulted in tragic consequences and death.”

“This case demonstrates yet again that guns and drugs don’t mix,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “The devastating results are clear – one dead and a number of others who came far too close to the unthinkable. My office is steadfastly committed to working with our state and local partners to bring federal charges against convicted felons who flout the law and illegally possess firearms.”

According to records filed in the case, MIRANDA and another man drove into the Shell station on Denny Way in Seattle intending to do a drug deal. Different witnesses have said the deal was for marijuana, or for prescription cough syrup, or Xanax. What is known is that after two other men got into the back seat of the car, gunfire erupted and 22-year-old Wafi Kilaouy was shot in the head and killed. MIRANDA and a third man, Dion Hooks – also charged federally – were both shot but survived. The car’s driver managed to get out of the car uninjured and fled the scene.

The shooting on Lower Queen Anne Hill followed two other incidents in which MIRANDA, a convicted felon, illegally possessed firearms. As part of the resolution of the case, MIRANDA has pled guilty to two other felonies: possession of a stolen .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun in December, 2013; and possession of a stolen Glock .357 semi-automatic handgun in January 2014.

King County prosecutors, working with their federal partners, determined that MIRANDA could argue self-defense in connection with any charges brought for the death of Wafi Kilaouy. The resolution in federal court holds MIRANDA responsible for multiple instances of illegal firearms possession. MIRANDA has a prior adult conviction for the unlawful possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.

Grandview Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal Firearm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Grandview, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.

Anthony B. Hutton, 29, of Grandview, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Hutton was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.

On Feb. 16, 2017, Hutton pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hutton admitted that he was in possession of a loaded Glock .40-caliber pistol.

Kansas City police officers found the pistol in Hutton’s waistband when he was being arrested on Jan. 31, 2016. Officers had been dispatched on a reported theft involving a beige Toyota Corolla. Officers saw the Corolla parked in the street on the curb, occupied by Hutton and another person. Hutton got out of the driver’s side of the vehicle when officers approached. Officers saw the grip of a black handgun tucked halfway in Hutton’s waistband and immediately placed him in handcuffs. A check of the pistol’s serial number revealed it to be stolen and Hutton was placed under arrest for possession of stolen property. Officers searched the vehicle and found nine individually wrapped plastic baggies containing a total of 44 grams of marijuana, six individual baggies of cocaine weighing a total of five grams, four green unknown pills, three yellow unknown pills and .5 grams of cocaine that was sitting on the ground by Hutton.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hutton has three prior felony convictions for distribution of a controlled substance and a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon (for attempting to shoot someone). Hutton was on probation at the time of the offense.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.