DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of West Virginia

For Immediate Release

Monday, February 29, 2016
Carol A. Casto
, United States Attorney

Two Felons Appear in Federal court for Gun Crimes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two felons appeared in court in Huntington today for federal gun crimes, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Bradney Allen Adkins, a felon from South Point, Ohio, who shot himself in the foot while driving on Interstate 64 in February 2015, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison. Adkins, 32, pleaded guilty in November 2015 to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On February 5, 2015, Adkins, while in possession of two handguns, was traveling westbound on Interstate 64 in Barboursville. While driving, Adkins accidently shot himself in the foot with one of the handguns. Adkins went to Cabell Huntington Hospital to seek treatment for the gunshot wound. Troopers with the West Virginia State Police responded to the hospital and recovered both handguns from a dumpster. Adkins, who was in the process of bringing the guns to Huntington to trade for heroin, was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of six previous felony convictions in Ohio and Indiana.  

In a separate hearing, Troy Walter Simpson, a felon from Putnam County who illegally possessed two firearms at his residence, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge. Simpson, 38, of Liberty, entered his guilty plea to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On December 15, 2014, law enforcement went to interview Simpson at his residence located at 198 Fisher’s Ridge Road in Liberty. Agents had previously received a report that Simpson had multiple firearms in his residence. When agents spoke with Simpson, he admitted having the guns and gave agents permission to enter his residence to retrieve them. Agents subsequently located and seized a .30-30 rifle and a .410 shotgun. Simpson was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law based on a 2007 felony conviction in Putnam County Circuit Court for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Simpson faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 13, 2016.

The case against Adkins was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation of Simpson. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecutions. The hearings were held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

These prosecutions were 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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Louisville Field Division