Ohio County man charged with illegal possession of a firearm

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – An Ohio County, West Virginia, man has been charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Mark A. Simmons, age 46 of Wheeling Island, who had previously been convicted of the felony offense of “Failure to Register or Provide Notice of Registration” in Marshall County, allegedly possessed a Beretta pistol in Ohio County in November 2016. Simmons faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of $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 Stephen L. Vogrin is handling the case on behalf of the government. The matter was investigated by the Wheeling Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.