Charleston Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charge
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CHARLESTON, W.VA.- A 43-year-old Charleston, West Virginia, man, and convicted felon will be facing up to fifteen years in federal prison when he is sentenced early next year, after pleading guilty yesterday in Federal Court in Charleston, West Virginia, to a federal firearms violation.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Monday, September 15, 2025, Joshua Steven Hicks, 43, of Charleston, West Virginia, 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, Judge Chambers accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for January 20, 2026. At that time, Hicks faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, as well as 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 Hicks’ prior criminal history.
According To Court Documents
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on April 25, 2024, a member of the Hurricane Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by Hicks in Hurricane, West Virginia. During the traffic stop, Hicks admitted to the Police Officer that he possessed a Taurus 9mm handgun, which was subsequently seized by the Police Officer. A subsequent records check revealed that Hicks had a prior felony conviction.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition. Hicks knew that when he possessed the 9mm handgun on April 25, 2024, he was a prohibited person due to prior felony convictions for a firearms violation and possession of counterfeit obligations of the United States, both in the U.S.District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in November 2018.
At the time of the instant offense, Hicks was serving a term of supervised release for his November 2018 conviction. On September 12, 2024, Hicks was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release.
