Wetzel County man convicted of passing counterfeit money and illegally possessing a firearm

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Franklin K. Dotson, 32, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, was convicted today for passing counterfeit money and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

Dotson admits to using counterfeit money at the 7 Eleven in New Martinsville in February 2017. Dotson, having previously been convicted of bank robbery in the US. District Court in 2011, did have in his possession a .32 auto caliber pistol. Dotson pled guilty to one count of “Uttering Counterfeit Obligations or Securities” and one count of “Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.”

Dotson faces up to twenty years and a fine of up to $250,000 for count one, and he faces up to ten years and up to a $250,000 fine for count two. 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 Robert H. McWilliams prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and The United States Secret Service investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.