Upshur County Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Offense
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
ELKINS, W.VA.- A 55-year-old French Creek, West Virginia, man is facing up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty yesterday to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, John Felix Cathell, 55, of French Creek, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Aloi to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and charging documents filed with the District Court, members of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at a French Creek, West Virginia residence. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s Officers learned that Cathell had shot his neighbor’s dog.
Sheriff’s Officers Find Guns And Ammunition In Cathell’s Home
During the initial investigation, Cathell admitted to shooting the dog. A subsequent records check uncovered that Cathell had a prior felon conviction, which would have prohibited him from possessing a firearm. Sheriff’s Officers searched Cathell’s home and found multiple firearms, gun parts, and ammunition.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction or a misdemeanor offense of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Cathell knew he was a prohibited person when he possessed the firearms and ammunition due to a prior felony firearms conviction.
Following entering his guilty plea on Tuesday, Judge Aloi accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for a date and time to be determined by the U.S. District Court. At that time, Cathell faces up to 15 years in federal prison, at least two years of supervised release, and 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 Cathell’s prior criminal history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bernard commended the investigative work of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
