Eddie Wayne Chapman Jr., a 39-year-old resident of St. Albans, entered a guilty plea for the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This development was confirmed by court documents and statements made during the proceedings.
On July 18, 2024, law enforcement seized a backpack from Chapman. He acknowledged that the backpack contained a loaded Smith & Wesson SD9 VE 9mm pistol and two ammunition magazines. Additionally, he admitted that approximately 65 grams of controlled substances containing fentanyl were found in the same backpack.
Federal law prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Chapman was aware of this restriction due to his previous felony convictions. These include being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, adjudicated on October 23, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. Another conviction was for conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory on September 30, 2010, in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Chapman's sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2025. He could face up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who praised the investigative efforts of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
The hearing was presided over by United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which includes fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
Further information can be accessed on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 2:24-cr-193.