Jalen O. Thomas, a 27-year-old resident of Beckley, West Virginia, has been sentenced to five years and ten months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence comes after Thomas was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The court proceedings revealed that on November 27, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence where Thomas was staying. During the search, authorities seized several firearms including a Smith & Wesson model SD9VE 9mm semiautomatic handgun, a loaded Glock model 17 Gen 5 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and a Taurus .38-caliber revolver. Thomas admitted to possessing these firearms.
Under federal law, individuals with prior felony convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Thomas had previously been convicted for felony fleeing in Cabell County Circuit Court on May 11, 2018.
The court determined that Thomas possessed the firearms to facilitate drug trafficking activities. The Glock handgun was discovered next to a package containing methamphetamine during the search. This package had been delivered as part of a controlled delivery operation shortly before officers arrived at the residence. Investigators had intercepted the package earlier and replaced most of its contents with a sham substance.
United States Attorney Will Thompson announced the sentencing and praised the investigative efforts of multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. The unit comprises officers from various local law enforcement bodies such as the West Virginia State Police and Beckley Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence while Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
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.
Further details about this case can be accessed through PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-197.