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Press Release

Monongalia County man indicted for illegal possession of a firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia man was indicted by a grand jury today for illegal possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Wilbur Higginbotham, age 51, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Higginbotham, having previously been convicted of heroin and illegal firearms charges in U.S. District Court and drug charges in Prince George’s County Maryland Circuit Court, was alleged to have in his possession a .22 caliber firearm in Harrison County in December 2017.

Higginbotham faces up to ten years 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 Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated January 10, 2018

Topic
Firearms Offenses