MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandon Michael Reckert, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was indicted this month on firearms charges, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Reckert, 28, was indicted on one count of “Engaging in the Business Without a License,” two counts of “Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person,” one count of “Transfer of Firearm in Violation of National Firearm Act,” and one count of “Possession of Unregistered Firearm.” Reckert, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, is accused of having and selling privately manufactured firearms, also known as “ghost guns,” without a license from March until September 2022 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, and elsewhere.
Reckert faces up to five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 for the business charge, faces up to 15 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each possession charge, and he faces up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the transfer charge. 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 Eleanor F. Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Loudoun County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.