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Press Release

Charleston Felon Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Firearm Possession

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

Douglas Jonathan Wesley wounded an individual during a February ’12 shooting on Charleston’s West Side

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man who shot and wounded an individual in February 2012 was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.   Douglas Jonathan Wesley Jr., also known as “Dougie” and “Dougie Fresh,” 23, previously pleaded guilty in July 2012 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

On February 5, 2012, Wesley shot a known individual near the Kickback Lounge located on Central Avenue in Charleston.  Wesley left the scene of the shooting and returned a few minutes later where he shot the same individual a second time.  The victim was seriously wounded, but survived.  The incident was captured on video surveillance from a neighboring building. 

The Court noted at sentencing that the defendant committed a gravely serious offense, had a disturbingly violent criminal history and was a danger to the community.

Wesley was previously convicted in May 2005 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County of felony first degree robbery. 

The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Steven Loew handled the prosecution.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

Updated January 7, 2015