Fairmont man pleads guilty to federal firearm charge

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Cline, 23, of Fairmont, WV, pled guilty to a federal firearm charge today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Cline was found in possession of a 9mm caliber pistol in Marion County, West Virginia.  Cline used that firearm in furtherance of his marijuana distribution operation.

He pled guilty today to one count of “Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime.” He faces up to five years in prison 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 Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Three Rivers Drug Task Force investigated.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.