Two Fayette County Men Plead Guilty To Federal Firearms Violations
Friday, August 15, 2025, 10:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CHARLESTON, W,VA.- Two Oak Hill, West Virginia, convicted felons will be facing up to 15 years in federal prison when sentenced later this year, after pleading guilty yesterday in Federal Court in Charleston, West Virginia, to federal firearms offenses.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Lesley Scott Watkins, 50, and Jawuan Akil Watts, 31, both of Oak Hill, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Irene C. Berger to being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.
Following entering their guilty pleas, Judge Berger accepted the pleas and scheduled sentencing for December 4, 2025. At that time, both Watkins and Watts each faced 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 circumstances surrounding the offenses and Watkins’ and Watts’ prior criminal histories.
According To Charging Documents Filed With The District Court
According to the charging documents filed with the District Court, on July 5, 2024, Watkins possessed a HS Product .45-caliber handgun and a Sig Sauer .45-caliber handgun in Fayette County, West Virginia. On July 6, 2024, Watts possessed a Heritage Rough Rider .22-caliber revolver and a Colt Peacemaker .22-caliber revolver, also in Fayette County, West Virginia.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Watkins knew that when he possessed the firearms on July 5, 2024, he was a prohibited person due to a felony conviction for delivery of a controlled substance in Fayette County Circuit Court in September 2008.
Watts also knew that when he possessed the two revolvers on July 6, 2024, he was a prohibited person due to a prior felony conviction for burglary in Raleigh County Circuit Court in July 2014.
