CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ronald Collins, 39, of Greenbrier County, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for federal gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The sentence was an upward departure from the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.  The Court found that Collins obstructed justice when he assaulted his former counsel.  Further, the Court found that an upward departure was warranted because of the defendant’s violent ideations, threatening behavior and lack of respect for law enforcement. 

“Another upward departure from the federal sentencing guidelines granted by the Court at my request.  This is the second request for an upward departure granted in the past two weeks based on the gravity of the offense.  I will continue to seek upward departures where the circumstances warrant,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Prosecution of cases like this are important. By enforcing federal gun laws, we keep guns out of the wrong hands.” 

In March 2019, a federal jury convicted Collins of making a false and fictitious written statement on an ATF Form 4473 in order to acquire a firearm and of being in possession of a firearm after being committed to a mental institution.   In January 2018, Collins lied on ATF form 4473, indicating that he had never been committed to a mental institution, and thereafter purchased a firearm.  Collins posted several videos of himself with the firearm on social media, including one of him shooting the firearm, which were shown to the jury. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorneys Steve Loew and Alex Hamner handled the prosecution. 

 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A federal jury has convicted a Greenbrier County man on federal gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  In January 2018, Ronald Collins, 39, lied on ATF form 4473, indicating that he had never been committed to a mental institution, and thereafter purchased a firearm.  The jury returned guilty verdicts on charges of making a false and fictitious written statement on an ATF Form 4473 in order to acquire a firearm, and of being in possession of a firearm after being committed to a mental institution.    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.

 “Collins is prohibited from possessing a firearm by virtue of having previously been committed to a mental institution,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “This is a prime example of how enforcing existing gun laws keeps guns out of the wrong hands.   I want to thank ATF, the West Virginia State Police and my prosecutors for their exemplary work in this case.”

Collins posted several videos of himself with the firearm on social media, including one of him shooting the firearm, which were shown to the jury.  Collins now faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on July 10, 2019. 

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the trial.  Assistant United States Attorneys Steve Loew and Alex Hamner handled the prosecution. 

 

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