Beckley Man Sentenced For Federal Firearms Offense
Monday, February 17, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BECKLEY, W.VA.- On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Myles Robert Williams, 37, of Beckley, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Frank W. Volk to 100 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Convicted Felon.
According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and documents filed with the District Court, on March 24, 2024, during an ongoing narcotics investigation, law enforcement investigators conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle driven by Williams in Beckley, West Virginia. The traffic stop occurred shortly after investigators conducted a controlled buy of illicit narcotics from Williams.
Police Officers Find Gun And Fentanyl
During the traffic stop and after Williams was detained, investigators conducted a search of Williams’ vehicle and uncovered a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, 41 grams of fentanyl, and $1,179 in U.S. currency. During questioning by law enforcement investigators, Williams admitted that he possessed the handgun and carried it for protection while conducting drug transactions.
Williams further admitted to investigators that the fentanyl found in the vehicle belonged to him, and he intended to distribute the drug. Williams also acknowledged selling the 1.3 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant during the controlled buy shortly before being pulled over.
Just three weeks later, on April 17, 2024, Police Officers responded to a report of a shooting at a Beckley residence. Upon arrival, Police Officers encountered Williams outside the residence and found a 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the ground near Williams. Police Officers also found an individual with a gunshot wound to the leg outside the residence. During questioning, Williams admitted to Police Officers that he fired the handgun inside the residence.
Federal prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Williams knew he was a prohibited person when he possessed the firearm during the traffic stop and the April shooting due to prior felony convictions.
In handing down the sentence on Thursday, Judge Volk noted Williams’ extensive criminal history, including convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon, narcotics trafficking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
