Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tyler Logan Kranenberg, of Ranson, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Kranenberg, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Crime” and one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Kranenberg admitted to possessing a .25 caliber pistol while distributing heroin in July 2017 in Jefferson County.

Kranenberg faces up to life incarceration and a fine of $250,000 for the firearms charge, and he faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the distribution count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.