Pittsburgh Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To West Virginia Gun Crime
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 4:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WHEELING, W.VA.- On Tuesday, a 38-year-old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, man and a previously convicted felon learned he will be facing up to 15 years in federal prison when sentenced later this year after pleading guilty to a federal firearms charge.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Tomez Faulkner, 38, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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, Convicted Felon.
According To Court Documents
According to charging documents filed with the District Court, Deputies of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office stopped to check on a motor vehicle that was parked on the side of Interstate 70, in Ohio County, West Virginia, with its hazard lights flashing. Deputies approached the vehicle and encountered Faulkner in the vehicle with a 9mm handgun. A subsequent records check at the time revealed that Faulkner had prior felony convictions.
Federal law prohibits a person previously convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Faulkner knew that when he possessed the 9mm, he was a prohibited person, due to prior assault and narcotics convictions.
Following entering his guilty plea on Tuesday, Judge Mazzone accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing at a time and date to be determined by the U.S. District Court. When sentenced, Faulkner faces up to 15 years in federal prison, at least two years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. At sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Faulkner’s prior criminal history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bernard commended the investigative work of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.