BECKLEY, W.Va. – Three individuals pleaded guilty today to federal charges involving the straw purchases of multiple firearms.
Michelle Grim, 51, of Eccles, and Megan Bickford, 34, of Oak Hill, each pleaded guilty to making false statements in the acquisition of firearms. Bickford’s husband, Brandon Lawson, 32, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Grim and Bickford each admitted to lying on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473, or ATF Form 4473. In making separate firearms purchases, Grim and Bickford each certified that they were the buyer of the firearm on the form when each knew they were purchasing firearms for someone else.
Grim admitted to lying on an ATF Form 4473 when she purchased a Taurus, G3C, 9mm pistol in Beckley on November 5, 2020, and further admitted to carrying out at least 17 straw purchases. Bickford admitted to lying on an ATF Form 4473 when she purchased a IWI, Model Jericho 941, 9mm pistol in Rainelle on November 2, 2020, and further admitted to carrying out at least 54 straw purchases throughout 2020.
Lawson admitted to transferring a Ruger, Model LC9S, 9mm pistol to the out-of-state resident in Beckley on March 11, 2021. Lawson further admitted to aiding and abetting Bickford in the illegal purchase of firearms during 2020 and 2021.
Bickford and Lawson are scheduled to be sentenced on September 23, 2022, and Grim on September 30, 2022. Each faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the ATF for conducting the investigation.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is prosecuting the cases.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:22-cr-78, 5:22-cr-79, and 5:22-cr-80.
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