Charles C. Ansley Jr., Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2017

Charles C. Ansley Jr., 37, of Wheeling, West Virginia, is headed to federal prison for two years after being sentenced on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. The conviction stems from a 2017 incident in Ohio County, where Ansley was found in possession of a .22 caliber revolver despite a prior felony conviction that stripped him of his right to bear arms.

Ansley pleaded guilty in February 2018 to one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, a charge that carries stiff penalties under federal law when tied to individuals with criminal histories. His prior conviction for burglary in Common Pleas Court in Lucas County, Ohio, formed the legal basis for the federal prosecution, turning what might have been a local offense into a federal crime.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Wheeling Police Department, whose joint efforts led to the recovery of the weapon and the subsequent indictment. Authorities moved quickly to charge Ansley after confirming his criminal record disqualified him from possessing any firearm under federal statute.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin handled the prosecution, arguing for accountability in a case that highlighted the dangers of armed individuals with violent pasts moving freely across state lines. The government emphasized that Ansley’s possession of the revolver posed a clear threat to public safety in the Ohio County community.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the proceedings and handed down the 24-month sentence, signaling no leniency for those who violate federal gun laws. The sentence was announced this week, closing a years-long chapter in a case that underscored the federal crackdown on illegal firearm possession.

Ansley will serve his time in federal custody, followed by supervised release. Federal prosecutors reiterated their commitment to targeting repeat offenders who illegally arm themselves, calling the sentencing a win for public safety in northern West Virginia.

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