Upshur County man facing federal firearms and carjacking charges

ELKINS – Chad C. Newcome, of Rock Cave, West Virginia, was indicted today on carjacking and firearms charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Newcome, 40, was indicted on one count of carjacking, one count of use of firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Newcome is accused of attempting to steal a 2018 Dodge Ram Truck on March 10, 2021 in Upshur County. Newcome, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, is accused of using a 12-gauge shotgun during the alleged carjacking.

Newcome faces up to 15 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the carjacking charge, at least seven years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the use of a firearm charge, and up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the unlawful possession charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.