Michael D. Williams, Felon in Possession, WV 2018

Michael D. Williams, 50, of Charleston, West Virginia, is headed back to federal prison for pulling a gun during a violent confrontation at the city’s Transit Mall in 2018. Williams was sentenced to 72 months in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating the terms of his supervised release. The sentence, handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., marks the latest fall from grace for a man already under federal supervision for a prior arson conspiracy conviction.

The incident unfolded on October 13, 2018, when Williams became embroiled in a heated altercation with another individual in the heart of downtown Charleston. Witnesses reported escalating threats before Williams drew a firearm and pointed it at the victim. The brazen act was caught in real time by a Charleston Police Department officer who was nearby and responded immediately, taking Williams into custody without further violence.

At the time of the arrest, Williams was under active supervised release for a federal conviction tied to conspiracy to commit arson — a crime that already barred him from possessing any weapon. Despite those restrictions, he not only carried a firearm but used it to intimidate during a public dispute. Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Loew, argued for a stiff penalty, citing Williams’ repeated disregard for court-imposed conditions and public safety.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Charleston Police Department with critical support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Authorities emphasized the danger posed by repeat offenders carrying firearms in crowded urban spaces. Williams’ possession of the weapon triggered the federal charge, which carries enhanced penalties for individuals with prior felony convictions.

This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative targeting violent crime hotspots through coordinated enforcement. PSN prioritizes the prosecution of individuals like Williams — those with criminal histories who reoffend with dangerous weapons. The program combines law enforcement pressure with community-based prevention and reentry strategies to reduce recidivism and bolster public safety.

Williams now faces six years behind bars, time that could have been avoided had he complied with the terms of his release. His case underscores the federal government’s zero-tolerance stance on firearms in the hands of felons — especially those who’ve already had a second chance. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, led by Mike Stuart, continues to push PSN cases to the front burner in its campaign to make West Virginia’s streets safer.

RELATED: Kanawha County Felon Guilty of Gun Possession

RELATED: James Michael Hill Sentenced in WV Drug, Gun Case