Edgar Warren Willis Jr., a 29-year-old resident of Charleston, West Virginia, has entered a guilty plea to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was made in federal court.
The case stems from an incident on February 27, 2024, when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Red Oak Street in Charleston where Willis was staying. During the search, officers discovered a Lorcin Engineering Model L380 .380-caliber pistol inside a backpack located in a bedroom. Willis admitted to possessing the firearm.
Federal regulations prohibit individuals with prior felony convictions from owning firearms or ammunition. Willis acknowledged his awareness of this prohibition due to previous felony convictions for possession with intent to deliver heroin on January 21, 2022, and for wanton endangerment and conspiracy related to heroin distribution on August 10, 2015. These convictions were handed down by the Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Willis is set for sentencing on June 12, 2025. He faces up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines amounting to $250,000.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the plea and praised the investigative efforts of both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department-Street Crimes Unit.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh is leading the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites various levels of law enforcement with community members to combat violent crime and gun violence effectively. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy under PSN on May 26, 2021.
For more information regarding this case or related documents, interested parties can visit PACER using Case No. 2:24-cr-89 or check out resources available through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia's website.