CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Another West Virginia felon caught with a weapon. Shawn David White, 41, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty today to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, a charge that could land him back behind bars for a decade.
The case dates back to November 8, 2018, when law enforcement officers paid a visit to White’s residence while investigating a separate firearm theft. During the search, officers discovered a Winchester Model 12, 12-gauge shotgun stashed in White’s bedroom. White readily admitted ownership of the weapon, a move that now carries significant consequences.
Federal law is clear: a prior felony conviction strips a person of the right to possess firearms or ammunition. White’s criminal history – convictions for grand larceny and driving while license suspended or revoked for DUI-third offense, both handed down by Wood County Circuit Court on February 10, 2017 – explicitly disqualifies him. He knew the risks, or should have.
This isn’t a first-time offense for White, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking a substantial penalty. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2023, and faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. A hefty $250,000 fine could also be levied.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the guilty plea, praising the collaborative effort of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Parkersburg Police Department. “Keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons is a top priority,” Thompson stated, a sentiment echoed by law enforcement officials across the state.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is prosecuting the case. Court documents related to Case No. 2:22-cr-150 are available for review on PACER. A press release detailing the case can also be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while illegally prohibited carries severe penalties under federal law.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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