Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Crime

Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 1:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BECKLEY, W.VA.- A 44-year-old Crab Orchard, West Virginia, man, and a previously convicted felon is potentially facing up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty yesterday to multiple federal firearms violations.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Joshua Mason Trotter, 44, of Crab Orchard, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Convicted Felon.

     Following entering his guilty plea on Tuesday, Judge Aboulhosn accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for September 26, 2025. At that time, Trotter faces up to 15 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. At sentencing, a U.S. District Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Trotter’s prior criminal history.

     According to the charging information filed with the District Court, on July 1, 2024, while serving an arrest warrant, law enforcement found Trotter in possession of a Glock .45-caliber handgun and a CBC 817 .17-caliber rifle. 

Trotter Admits To Possessing The Firearms

     During his plea allocution, Trotter admitted to possessing the firearms and further admitted to possessing a 26-round high-capacity magazine for .45-caliber ammunition, around 10.61 grams of methamphetamine, and a total of 25.95 grams of para-fluoro fentanyl, a synthetic opioid in several individual packages.

     Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition. Trotter knew when he possessed the firearms, he was a prohibited person due to his previous felony conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine in Kanawha County Circuit Court in November 2017.