BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jalen O. Thomas, 26, of Beckley, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in a federal court hearing.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Beckley residence where Thomas was staying on November 27, 2023. During the search, officers seized a Smith & Wesson model SD9VE 9mm semiautomatic handgun, a Glock model 17 Gen 5 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and a Taurus .38-caliber revolver. Thomas admitted to possessing the seized firearms.
Thomas knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior conviction for felony fleeing in Cabell County Circuit Court on May 11, 2018. This conviction left Thomas with a permanent felony record, disqualifying him from owning or carrying a firearm.
Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The harsh penalties are designed to deter repeat offenders and keep the streets of West Virginia safe.
United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting the case. United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. This case serves as a reminder that the Justice Department is committed to upholding the law and keeping the public safe from repeat offenders.
Related Federal Cases
- Felon in Possession: Danville Man Faces 15 Years for Gun Crime · West Virginia
- Felon Jailed 5 Years for Beckley Gun Crime · West Virginia
- Charleston Felon Pleads Guilty to Gun Crime · North Carolina
- Felon with Glock Faces Decade-Plus in WV Gun Bust · West Virginia
- Beckley Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Gun Crime · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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