Ohio Man Who Sold Firearms To A Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Ohio man who illegally sold several firearms to a convicted felon in 2012 pleaded guilty on May 28 in Huntington to federal charges, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Jeffrey Allen Jones, 50, of Chesapeake, Ohio, pleaded guilty to knowingly selling firearms to a convicted felon.  On March 15, 2012, a police informant contacted Jones by telephone and arranged to purchase a .22 caliber pistol.  Afterward, Jones met the informant at a predetermined location in Huntington and sold the pistol in exchange for $150.  Jones knew that prior to conducting the firearm transaction, the informant had been convicted of a felony and was not permitted to possess a firearm.  During the firearm transaction, Jones told the police informant to wipe the firearm down and if anything happened he would report the gun stolen.         

Jones also sold an additional five firearms to the same police informant.  All of the firearm transactions were monitored and recorded by police.   

Jones faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on August 26, 2013 by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.   

The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is in charge of the prosecution. 

This case is being 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.