Victor L. Carpenter, a 57-year-old resident of Mt. Zion, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentence was announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Clarksburg.
Court documents and statements revealed that Carpenter was on state probation due to previous convictions for malicious assault and drug charges in Calhoun County. During a routine probation home visit, law enforcement officers discovered a 16-gauge shotgun with ammunition at his residence. The firearm had been modified with a shortened stock and barrel. Due to his felony convictions, Carpenter is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
Following his prison term, Carpenter will be subject to three years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar led the prosecution on behalf of the government. The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the West Virginia State Police.
The case was overseen by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Thomas S. Kleeh.