Nicholas County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Jonathan Wayne Vickers, 35, of Summersville, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 13, 2024, Vickers possessed a SCCY Industries model CPX-2 9mm pistol in the Summersville area.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Vickers knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for burglary and grand larceny on March 10, 2021, and conspiracy to commit breaking and entering on March 12, 2015, both in Nicholas County Circuit Court.

Vickers is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Nicholas County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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 PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-185.

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