CHRISTIANSTED – A 29-year-old St. Croix man pleaded guilty to illegal gun charges in federal court on Thursday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Dwayne Wesselhoft admitted in U.S. District Court in Estate Golden Rock that he possessed a gun while using illegal drugs on St. Croix, U.S. Attorney Ronald Sharpe said.

According to court records, on October 1, 2015 agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a consent search at Wesselhoft’s residence located at #141 Estate Clifton Hill.

The search uncovered a 9mm Luger pistol in the master bedroom which Wesselhoft confided was his.

The agents also found a container with marijuana. Wesselhoft admitted to smoking two marijuana “joints” per day for the past five-six years.

Wesselhoft faces a maximum of 10 years of incarceration and a maximum fine of $250,000. A sentencing date has been set for December 7, 2016.

The case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.