CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former employee of a Logan County gun and pawn shop pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Steven Adkins, 38, of Man, entered his guilty plea to making and aiding and abetting false statements relating to firearms purchases.
Adkins was an employee of Uncle Sam’s Loans, a gun and pawn shop in Man. In this job, Adkins sold and transferred firearms to people that he knew were not the actual buyers of the guns. These types of transactions are commonly called “straw purchases.” Adkins fraudulently filled out federal forms required to be completed during a lawful firearms sale, or directed others to fraudulently complete the forms. These fraudulent forms reflected straw purchases when, in fact, the guns were sold to other buyers. From 2009 to 2014, Adkins engaged in more than 50 illegal straw purchases and transfers of firearms.
Adkins faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on June 6, 2016.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Goes and Meredith George Thomas are handling the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime.
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