Jakob Barnes, a 39-year-old resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, has confessed to unlawfully possessing a firearm. Court documents reveal that Barnes was barred from owning firearms due to a previous felony conviction. During an investigation into a drug-related robbery, law enforcement officers executing a search warrant found two firearms and ammunition at Barnes' Wheeling Island apartment.
Barnes could face a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison. The final sentence will be decided by a federal district court judge, who will review the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other legal factors before making a determination.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in conjunction with the Wheeling Police Department. The court proceedings are under the supervision of U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone.