ATF And Pittsburgh Police Team Up To Put Illegal Gun Possessor Back In Federal Prison

PITTSBURGH – A convicted felon from Penn Hills, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for a second time on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on Feb. 18, named Michael Tyrone Waller, a/k/a Maurice Murray, a/k/a Donald Maurice Murray, a/k/a James Woods, a/k/a Stickman, 28, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about Feb. 4, 2013, Waller, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a .40 S&W caliber semi-automatic Springfield Armory pistol and ammunition after his release from federal prison on a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute it. Waller also has been convicted of felony crimes in Allegheny County for providing weapons to inmates and being a fugitive in possession of a firearm. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both, as well as an additional period of incarceration for committing the crime while under the supervision of the United States Probation Office after his release from jail. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crimes Section of the United States Attorney's Office is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment of Waller. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.

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