Clarksburg Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Clarksburg man with a prior felony conviction was behind bars again Tuesday after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, federal prosecutors confirmed. Charles A. Hamlett, 24, of Fairmont, West Virginia, admitted in U.S. District Court to holding onto a loaded .380 caliber pistol despite being barred from owning any weapon under federal law.

Hamlett’s criminal past caught up with him when authorities uncovered his possession of the firearm in November 2015. The charge stems from his prior felony conviction for Attempted Burglary in Montgomery County, Ohio—a conviction that automatically stripped him of his right to possess firearms. Despite that, Hamlett was found in possession of the weapon, triggering federal prosecution.

He pled guilty to one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. No plea deal details were disclosed, but under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the final sentence will hinge on the severity of the offense and Hamlett’s criminal history.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook handled the prosecution, underscoring the federal government’s aggressive stance on repeat offenders wielding weapons. “Individuals with felony convictions who choose to possess firearms will be met with federal charges,” Cook stated. “This isn’t just a local offense—it’s a federal crime with federal consequences.”

The investigation was a joint operation involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clarksburg Police Department. Their collaboration led to the recovery of the firearm and the subsequent indictment.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the hearing. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date. Hamlett remains in federal custody pending further court proceedings.

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