Felon Convicted Of Gun Possession, Facing 15 Year Mandatory Term

PHILADELPHIA – A federal jury, yesterday, convicted Francis Aponte, 47, of Philadelphia, of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On June 17, 2012, Aponte was standing on the sidewalk near Indiana Avenue and 4th Street when two Philadelphia Police Officers spotted him shooting a gun into the air. The officers approached and saw Aponte throw the handgun – a .380 caliber Indian Arms semi-automatic – to the ground.  Aponte was arrested and charged as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2014.  Aponte faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life, up to five-years of supervised release, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Philadelphia Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose R. Arteaga.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
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