Upshur County Man Admits to Firearms Charge

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – John Felix Cathell, III, age 55, of French Creek, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, officers were called to a shooting at a home. At the scene, Cathell admitted to shooting his neighbor’s dog. The defendant is prohibited from having firearms because of prior firearms convictions. Officers searched Cathell’s home and recovered multiple firearms, firearms parts, and ammunition.

Cathell is facing up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Utt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.