Robert J. Thomas, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A St. Albans man has been arrested for a federal gun crime. Robert J. Thomas, 30, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2024, Thomas possessed a Glock Model 27 .40-caliber pistol in the Jefferson area of Kanawha County. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Thomas knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Putnam County Circuit Court on October 9, 2019.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case. Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the federal government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Robert J. Thomas’s crime is a serious offense that highlights the need for stricter gun laws and increased law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to keeping our communities safe.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are working together to ensure that those who commit federal crimes are held accountable for their actions. The community can expect to see continued efforts to combat violent crime and protect our neighborhoods.

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