Weirton man charged with illegal possession of a firearm

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jerod Kernen, 32, of Weirton, West Virginia with illegal possession of a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Kernen, who had previously been convicted of felony offenses in South Carolina, was allegedly found in possession of a .44 caliber revolver in Hancock County, West Virginia.

Kernen was charged with one count of “Felon in Possession of Firearm,” and one count of “Possession of a Stolen Firearm.” He faces up to ten years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for each count. 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 J. Perri is handling the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Weirton, West Virginia Police Department, and the Steubenville, Ohio Police Department are investigating.
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.