Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Charges

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pleaded guilty today to federal firearm and drug charges.

According to court documents and statements made in court, officers with the Parkersburg Police Department arrested Jonathan Ray Sindledecker, 40, on January 17, 2020 due to outstanding warrants.   When officers approached Sindledecker at a Go-Mart store near the intersection of 16^th Street and St. Mary’s Avenue, he ran around the store into an alley.  As Sindledecker was running, he attempted to pull a pistol with an obliterated serial number from his waist area.  Upon doing so, Sindledecker lost his balance and fell to the ground.  Officers apprehended Sindledecker and located the pistol nearby.  Officers also located a quantity of methamphetamine, digital scales and a small amount of cash on Sindledecker.  Sindledecker knew he was prohibited from possessing the firearm due to prior felony convictions for unlawful entry and manufacture of a controlled substance in Wood County Circuit Court.  Sindledecker admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others.    

Sindledecker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 20, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.