Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A felon pleaded guilty today to being in possession of a firearm.  John Leach, 55, formerly of St. Albans, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020. 

Leach admitted that on November 25, 2018, he was driving an improperly registered truck and was pulled over by the West Virginia State Police. In the truck, Leach had a loaded .25 caliber pistol. Leach was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple, prior felony convictions, including a 2006 conviction for malicious wounding in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

“I thank the West Virginia State Police and the ATF for their excellent work in this case,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.

Leach faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 30, 2021.

The West Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00172.

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