Brian K. Trent, a 30-year-old resident of Bradley, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following his prison term, he will be under supervised release for three years.
Court documents reveal that on September 12, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a report about a suspicious vehicle in the Stanaford area of Raleigh County. They found Trent and another individual unconscious inside the vehicle. A firearm was visible between the driver’s seat and the center console. The vehicle was reported stolen from South Carolina, and Trent had an active misdemeanor warrant and parole violation against him.
During the search, officers seized multiple firearms including a Taurus model G2 9mm pistol, a North American .22-caliber magnum revolver, a Marlin model 60 .22-caliber rifle, a Noble model 60H 12-gauge shotgun, and a Taurus .32-caliber revolver. Approximately 27.7 grams of fentanyl were also found. One of the firearms had been reported stolen in Fayette County.
Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Trent was aware of this restriction due to his previous felony conviction for destruction of property in Raleigh County Circuit Court on November 29, 2016.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the sentencing and praised the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their investigative efforts.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk delivered the sentence while Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering community trust and setting strategic enforcement priorities.
The press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia with related court documents accessible through PACER under Case No. 5:24-cr-58.
