MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Hagerstown, Maryland residents were sentenced today for working together to illegally purchase firearms in Berkeley County, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Dwayne Anthony Battle was sentenced today to five years probation. Battle, 37, pleaded guilty in May to one count of “Conspiracy to Violate Gun Control Act.” Battle admitted to working with Antoinette Pauleen McKenzie to illegally purchase firearms in Berkeley County and transfer those firearms to an out-of-state resident, violating the Gun Control Act. The conspiracy took place in August and September 2021.
McKenzie, 33, was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty in May 2022 to one count of “False Statement During Purchase of Firearm.” McKenzie admitted to lying to the licensed gun dealer, saying she was the true purchaser of the firearm, when the 9mm pistol was meant for someone else in August 2021 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor F. Hurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.