Jefferson County man admits to firearms charge

Jefferson County man admits to firearms charge
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen at the United States Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kyle Lee Harder, of Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a firearms trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Harder, 23, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Harder, a person prohibited from having firearms, admitted to having a 9mm pistol in April 2021 in Jefferson County.

Harder faces up to 10 years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher 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.