Ohio County Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charge
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 2:45 P.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WHEELING, W.VA.- A 39-year-old Wheeling, West Virginia, man is facing up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday to being unlawfully in possession of two firearms and ammunition.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Jakob Barnes, 39, of Wheeling, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.
According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and charging information filed with the District Court, during a drug-related robbery investigation, law enforcement investigators executed a court-authorized at Barnes’ Wheeling Island, West Virginia apartment. During the search, investigators uncovered and seized two firearms and ammunition.
Federal law prohibits a person previously convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Barnes knew when he possessed the two firearms and ammunition, he was a prohibited person due to a prior felony conviction.
Following entering his guilty plea on Tuesday, Judge Mazzone accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for a time and date to be determined by the District Court. At the time of sentencing, Barnes faces up to 15 years in federal prison, at least two years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, or both. A U.S. District Court Judge would determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Barnes’ prior criminal history.
