Two Charleston felons are now facing federal gun charges after a shots fired incident last week along Leon Sullivan Way in Charleston where two AR-15 rifles were discovered.
Kevin Denson, 35, is federally charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He also was charged through Kanawha County Magistrate Court with the same offense. Jonathan Kennedy, 41, also is facing a federal charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
According to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, Charleston police officers responded about 5 p.m. Thursday to the 200 block of Leon Sullivan Way for a shots fired call.
Police said when they arrived at the scene, there were bullet holes in the front of Jet Life Apparel, located at 216 Leon Sullivan Way. Police said they also saw a dark colored sport utility vehicle driving down the alley behind the clothing store.
When officers approved the SUV, court documents said, Denson got out of the back passenger side seat and started to walk away. Denson was given commands to stop.
"As officers were talking to Denson and another occupant of the vehicle, they observed in plain view two AR-style guns in the back seat behind the driver where Denson had been observed exiting," Charleston Police Detective Dalton Holcomb wrote in the affidavit.
Police recovered a Smith & Wesson AR-15 rifle with a drum magazine capable of holding 50 rounds of ammunition and a round in the chamber from the back seat of the vehicle. Police also said they recovered a Dickinson 12-gauge shotgun that was also loaded with a drum magazine and a round in the chamber.
In June 2018, Denson was convicted of felony manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance, and is not able to legally possess any firearms.
In Kennedy's affidavit, police said they secured a search warrant for Jet Life Apparel's video recording system. Police said Kennedy was seen on video running across the store to what officers believed was an altercation outside. Police said Kennedy was holding a 12-gauge shotgun with a magazine drum as he ran in the direction of the street.
In December 2015, Kennedy was convicted of federal crimes that included interstate travel in aid of drug trafficking. Kennedy is not able to legally possess firearms.
Denson and Kennedy are both being held at the South Central Regional Jail. Charleston police said the investigation was continuing and more charges could be filed.