Felon with Glock Faces Decade-Plus in WV Gun Bust

A St. Albans man with a prior drug conviction is staring down a lengthy federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a loaded handgun. Robert Thomas, 30, admitted in court today he knowingly violated federal law when he was found with a Glock Model 27 pistol in Kanawha County earlier this year.

The bust went down January 27th in the Jefferson area, a working-class section of the county known for its tight-knit communities and, increasingly, its struggles with the opioid crisis. Deputies with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office pulled Thomas over – the initial reason for the stop hasn’t been released – and discovered the .40-caliber Glock during a search of his vehicle. It wasn’t the gun itself that landed Thomas in hot water, but *who* he was.

Thomas isn’t allowed to have a gun. Records show he was convicted in Putnam County in 2019 of drug distribution, a felony offense. That conviction permanently stripped him of the right to own or possess firearms under federal law – a prohibition he acknowledged he understood when questioned by investigators. Federal prosecutors aren’t buying any claims of ignorance; court documents clearly state Thomas was aware of his restricted status.

The charge – being a felon in possession of a firearm – carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, along with a hefty $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release after serving his time. Sentencing guidelines, however, will likely play a significant role. Factors like Thomas’s criminal history, the circumstances of the arrest, and his acceptance of responsibility will all be weighed by Judge Joseph R. Goodwin when he hands down the sentence on July 13, 2026. Experts estimate a realistic sentence could fall between 5 and 10 years, but a judge isn’t bound by those estimates.

This case is being framed by federal prosecutors as part of “Operation Take Back America,” a broad-stroke initiative that sounds more like political posturing than effective crime-fighting. While the stated aim is to tackle illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations, the reality is it’s being used to justify increased federal involvement in local law enforcement matters – and pad arrest statistics. The ATF, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and South Charleston Police Department all contributed to the investigation, showcasing the multi-agency approach the feds are pushing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Price is leading the prosecution, a career prosecutor known for aggressively pursuing firearm violations. The case highlights a continuing trend of federal authorities focusing on individuals with prior convictions who are found in possession of weapons, even if there’s no evidence they intended to commit a further crime. Critics argue this approach diverts resources from addressing more serious violent offenses and disproportionately impacts communities already burdened by over-policing.

The timing of this plea comes on the heels of another recent federal sentencing – a DC gun runner received over 13 years for trafficking weapons. The feds are clearly signaling they intend to come down hard on gun-related crimes, regardless of the underlying circumstances. Whether this will actually make communities safer remains to be seen, but it will undoubtedly keep the federal prison system full.

Thomas remains out on bond pending sentencing. His attorney, whose name has not been released, declined to comment. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has not released details regarding the initial reason for the traffic stop that led to the discovery of the firearm.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice