Columbus Man Pleads Guilty To West Virginia Federal Gun Charge

Thursday, July 10, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- A 56-year-old Columbus, Ohio, man, and a previously convicted felon will be facing up to 15 years in federal prison, at sentencing after pleading guilty on Monday, to unlawfully possessing a firearm.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Monday, July 7, 2025, Douglas Lee Brown, also known as “Wiggles,” 56, of Columbus, Ohio, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Convicted Felon.

     Following entering his guilty plea on Monday, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for October 20, 2025. At that time, Brown 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 Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Brown’s prior criminal history.

According To Court Documents

     According to the charging information filed with the District Court, on April 18, 2024, members of the Huntington Police Department were executing arrest warrants on Brown for domestic battery and wanton endangerment in Huntington, West Virginia. During the arrest procedure, Police Officers found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun on his person. A subsequent records check revealed that the handgun had been reported stolen.

     Federal law prohibits a person with prior felony convictions or a conviction of a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Brown knew that when he possessed the firearm on April 18, 2024, he was a prohibited person, due to his prior felony conviction for burglary in Franklin County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas in November of 2012.

     Brown, who has a long and extensive history, was serving a term of supervised release as a result of a burglary conviction at the time he committed the instant offense.

     Acting U.S. Attorney Johnston commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which led to Brown’s guilty plea on Monday.