Four indicted on federal firearms charges in West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A federal grand jury has indicted four individuals on firearms charges, according to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld.

Todd M. Houston, 35, of Morgantown, and Kayla N. Taylor, 33, of Montrose, face charges related to a conspiracy to straw purchase firearms in Monongalia County.

According to court documents, Taylor allegedly falsified documents to buy firearms for Houston, who is barred from possessing firearms due to prior robbery and burglary convictions in Monongalia County.

Both Houston and Christopher S. Damson, 27, of Kernersville, North Carolina, were arrested while attempting to pawn boxes of ammunition.

Damson, who is also prohibited from possessing firearms due to a domestic violence protective order issued in Lee County, Florida, faces charges of unlawful possession of ammunition.

In a separate case, Jonathon Wade Cochran, 42, of Shinnston, has been indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm.

The indictment states that Cochran was found in Harrison County with a 9mm pistol.

Cochran is prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous convictions for methamphetamine possession, burglary, and firearms violations in Monongalia, Marion, and Harrison Counties.