Donald Wayne Wilson, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2022

Local Man Admits to Firearms Charge, Faces Decade Behind Bars and Substantial Fine

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Berkeley County man has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. Donald Wayne Wilson, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.”

According to the plea agreement, Wilson had a .357 caliber revolver in September 2018 in Berkeley County. Wilson, age 62, had previously been convicted of a felony, making him ineligible to possess a firearm.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the crime.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the case. Wilson faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Wilson's guilty plea marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to reduce violent crime in West Virginia. The case serves as a reminder that the consequences of engaging in illicit activities can be severe, with potentially devastating consequences for individuals and communities.

The case is a testament to the effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in the pursuit of justice. The guilty plea is a victory for the community and a stark reminder that those who engage in violent crime will be held accountable.

Donald Wayne Wilson, 62, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for his role in the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Defendant: Donald Wayne Wilson

Criminal Charges: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

City and State: Martinsburg, West Virginia

Exact Date: September 2018

Sentence or Outcome: Faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000

Dollar Amounts: $250,000 fine

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/berkeley-county-man-admits-firearms-charge-3