Martinsburg Felon Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegal Firearm

Martinsburg, West Virginia resident Ryan Dontrez Lynn, 37, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on May 5, 2026, for unlawful possession of a firearm, per a U.S. Department of Justice press release from the Northern District of West Virginia.

The sentencing affects Lynn directly, confining him to federal custody for 10 years. It stems from his status as a violent felon, which under federal law prohibits firearm possession. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, led by Matthew L. Harvey, handled the case, impacting local enforcement efforts in Martinsburg and surrounding areas where Lynn resided.

Prior to sentencing, Lynn faced charges and conviction for the firearms offense, maintaining his freedom during proceedings. The new state imposes immediate incarceration for 120 months, followed by standard federal supervised release terms, though the press release does not specify the exact release conditions or start date beyond the sentencing announcement.

The sentence triggers federal Bureau of Prisons oversight for Lynn's incarceration, requiring the agency to assign him to a facility and manage his term. It also activates any associated fines or restitution, if ordered, though the release does not detail financial penalties.

Prosecutors must now close the case file, while defense options shift to potential appeals through the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, with filing deadlines starting from the judgment date.

This marks another enforcement action under federal gun laws in the Northern District of West Virginia, where the U.S. Attorney's Office has pursued similar felon-in-possession cases in recent years. The original prohibition on felons owning firearms derives from the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended over decades to strengthen penalties.