Charleston Man Pleads Guilty For Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CHARLESTON, W.VA.- A 29-year-old Charleston, West Virginia man will be facing up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty yesterday to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
On Monday, February 24, 2025, Edgar Warren Willis, Jr., 29, of Charleston, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Convicted Felon.
According To Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston and charging information filed with the District Court, on February 27, 2024, members of the Charleston Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit executed a court-authorized search warrant at a Red Oak Street residence in Charleston, West Virginia where Willis was staying. During the search, Police Officers located a backpack in a bedroom that contained a Lorcin .380-caliber handgun. After being taken into custody, Willis admitted that the handgun belonged to him.
Federal law prohibits an individual previously convicted of a felony from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Willis knew on February 27, 2024, he was prohibited from possessing the .380-caliber handgun due to his prior felony convictions for possession with intent to deliver heroin in January 2022 and for wanton endangerment and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin in August 2015, all in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Following entering his guilty plea yesterday, Judge Goodwin accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2025. At that time, Willis faces up to 15 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Willis’s prior criminal history.
