Clarksburg, W.Va. – A Doddridge County man has been indicted for federal firearm charges after a May 2022 shootout with police.
Richard Edward America, III, 45, of Salem, was charged by a Clarksburg grand jury with illegally possessing a small arsenal of weapons despite having a prior conviction for domestic violence. He was also indicted for unregistered possession of silencers.
Court documents said America fired shots at officers who were attempting to execute a search warrant at his house on May 5, 2022. Officers suspected America had firearms on his property despite his prior conviction. America fled the scene but was later apprehended. Officers reported finding eleven firearms, two silencers, and assorted ammunition. Among the firearms recovered, officers seized an assault-style rifle in the area near where Americans fired shots at law enforcement.
“Oftentimes the most dangerous individuals encountered by law enforcement are those with histories of domestic violence,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “We will continue to work with our state and local partners to bring federal charges whenever possible against gun-carrying domestic abusers.”
America is being held in the North Central Regional Jail and will appear in federal court in the near future.