Marion County, WV man charged with unlawful possession of firearm

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Antonio Cottingham, 28, of Fairmont, West Virginia, with unlawful possession of a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Cottingham was previously convicted in the Northern District of West Virginia of the felony offenses of “Distribution of Crack Cocaine” and “Escape from Custody.” He was also previously convicted in state court in West Virginia of the felony offense of “Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Against the Sate.” As a result of these convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms. He was allegedly discovered in possession of a .44 caliber revolver in August 2015 in Fairmont, West Virginia.

Cottingham is charged with one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” He faces up to 10 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 David Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Fairmont, West Virginia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are leading the investigation.

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