Federal Jury Finds Charleston Man Guilty of Gun Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A federal jury convicted a Charleston man today after a two day trial, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The jury found Michael Q. Cottrell, 23, guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms on August 25, 2018.

“Guilty as determined by a jury of twelve of his peers,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Federal law is clear -- Cottrell’s prior felony conviction prohibits him from possessing guns. It is really pretty simple.  If you are prohibited from possessing firearms, don’t possess firearms. I want to thank the entire team of investigators and prosecutors that worked on this case.”

Cottrell was previously indicted for  possessing two firearms, a revolver and a pistol, while being a person prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2018 felony conviction in Roane County. At trial, evidence revealed that Cottrell possessed these firearms on the same night that he crashed a car on Garrison Avenue in Charleston and fled the scene.

Cottrell faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on March 29, 2020.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.  

Senior United States Judge David A. Faber presided over the trial. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin F. Scott and Joshua C. Hanks handled the prosecution.

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