Three sentenced for firearms violations in the Northern District of West Virginia (DOJ)

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Three people were sentenced to a combined 11 years in prison for violating federal firearms laws, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

Charlie Bret Parker, 45, of Cumberland, Maryland, will serve 78 months in prison after stealing firearms from a pawn shop in Ridgeley, West Virginia. Surveillance footage captured Parker leaning over a display case, opening the door, and taking a firearm before leaving the store. Because of previous felony convictions-including drug offenses, theft, and grand larceny-Parker is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Ricardo Xavier Jones, 46, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. Jones was already on probation for a felony grand larceny conviction in Virginia. During a probation check at his home, officers found a shotgun hidden inside his mattress, a box of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and suboxone strips. Jones is barred from having firearms due to his prior convictions.

Gary Owen Jones, 55, also of Martinsburg, received a sentence of 37 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm. A West Virginia parole officer found a rifle in Jones's home during a routine visit. Jones is prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous convictions, including making terroristic threats in Berkeley County and another firearms-related offense.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

Investigative agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole Services.

These cases are a part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.

U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.