Wheeling man pleads guilty to failing to register as a sex offender

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph J. Weidman, 49, of Wheeling, West Virginia pled guilty to failing to register as a sex offender in federal court today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Weidman failed to register and update his registration as a sex offender in Ohio County, West Virginia, after having moved from Massachusetts in May, 2016. Weidman is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act by reason of a conviction under state law.

He faces up to ten years in prison 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 Steven L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.