Two Wheeling Residents Convicted Of Firearms Violations

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WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Two Wheeling, West Virginia, residents entered pleas of guilty last week in United States District Court in Wheeling before Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that WILLIAM “CHAZ” CRISWELL, age 29 and ERICA MORRIS HERCULES, age 29, each entered a plea of guilty to “Aiding and Abetting a Prohibited Person in the Possession of a Firearm.”

CRISWELL had previously been convicted in the Circuit Court of Ohio County of the felony offense of “Burglary,” and HERCULES had previously been convicted in the Circuit Court of Ohio County of the felony offense of “Uttering.” Both admitted to knowingly assisting one another in the possession of a Winchester Rifle and of a Conbray Leinad pistol on June 20, 2011, in Ohio County.

CRISWELL, who is free on bond pending sentencing, and HERCULES, who is in custody pending sentencing, each face up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives along with the Wheeling Police Department.