Jalen O. Thomas Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of Firearm

Jalen O. Thomas, 26, of Beckley, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a federal crime that carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 27, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Beckley residence where Thomas was staying. 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. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and 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.

Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-197. The crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm is a serious offense that can have severe consequences for those found guilty. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia is committed to enforcing federal laws and keeping the community safe.