CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston, West Virginia felon who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Curtis Watkins, 25, previously pleaded guilty in October of 2013 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.
In September of 2012, Watkins illegally possessed a loaded 9-millimeter pistol near Sistah’s Rib Shack on the West Side of Charleston. Watkins was previously convicted in October of 2009 of felony possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack." Watkins was still on federal supervision for the felony drug conviction when he was found with the gun. Watkins received an additional sentence of 12 months, to be served consecutively to the felon-in-possession sentence, for violating the terms of his supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn handled the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
