Fairmont man indicted for theft of 13 firearms

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jesse Ross Duke, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was indicted today on a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Duke, 34, was indicted today on one count of “Theft of Firearms.” Duke is accused of taking 13 firearms that included pistols, rifles, shotguns, and revolvers, from a licensed firearms dealer in June 2021 in Marion County.

Duke is facing up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.