Charleston Gunman Cobbs Admits Federal Violation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Shon Wayne Cobbs, 45, of Charleston, admitted today to a federal gun crime, adding another chapter to a history of violence. United States Attorney Carol Casto announced Cobbs’ guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm – a charge that carries a hefty penalty.

The case stems from a February 3, 2013 incident where Cobbs discharged a .40 caliber pistol inside his own kitchen, no less, during a dispute with a woman. Deputies with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department arrived to find Cobbs and quickly took him into custody. A search of the residence uncovered not only the Beretta .40 caliber used in the shooting, along with three spent shell casings and bullet fragments, but a staggering sixteen additional firearms scattered throughout the house. A single spent bullet was even found in the adjacent living room – a chilling testament to the potential for escalation.

Cobbs wasn’t just some first-time offender. He was already legally barred from owning any firearms. In 2008, a Kanawha County Circuit Court jury found him guilty of unlawful wounding, a felony, after he brutally assaulted a woman, breaking her arm by twisting it behind her back. This conviction, naturally, stripped him of his Second Amendment rights. Yet, he continued to stockpile weapons.

While the federal charges center on the illegal firearm possession, Cobbs also faced state charges. In August 2013, he pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment in Kanawha County Circuit Court related to the same incident. A slap on the wrist, really – he received a sentence of home confinement. Clearly, a more serious response was needed.

Now, Cobbs is looking at up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2017, before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling gun violence by bolstering local efforts. Let’s hope this time, the punishment fits the crime.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks handling the prosecution. This isn’t just about one gun; it’s about a pattern of behavior and a dangerous individual finally facing consequences. Follow @SDWVNews for updates on this and other West Virginia crime news.