Robert J. Thomas, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, West Virginia 2026

Grimy Times Exclusive: Local Man’s Felon in Possession of a Firearm Case Sparks Community Concerns.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Robert J. Thomas, 30, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. This conviction is a result of a thorough investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Charleston Police Department. Thomas knowingly possessed a firearm despite his prior felony conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Putnam County Circuit Court on October 9, 2019. This knowledge of his ineligibility for firearm possession is a key factor in his guilty plea.

According to United States Attorney Moore Capito, ‘the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Charleston Police Department was instrumental in bringing this case to a successful resolution.’ The maximum penalty for this crime is 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2026. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.

Thomas, a resident of St. Albans, knowingly possessed the firearm despite his prior felony conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Putnam County Circuit Court on October 9, 2019. This conviction is a serious offense and underscores the importance of adhering to firearms laws in West Virginia. Thomas’s guilty plea is a significant step towards addressing concerns surrounding firearm possession in the community.

The investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Charleston Police Department was instrumental in bringing this case to a successful resolution. United States Attorney Moore Capito commended the efforts of these agencies. Thomas’s guilty plea and the corresponding penalties serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to firearms laws in West Virginia. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that focuses on combating transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities from violent crime. A copy of the press release can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-40.

Defendant: Robert J. Thomas
Crime: Felon in Possession of a Firearm
City and State: St. Albans, West Virginia
Date: January 27, 2024
Sentence: Scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2026, facing a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

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