Philadelphia Felon Charged With Illegally Possessing Ammunition

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Philadelphia man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on July 30, named Elanda Bell, 55, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, between Jan. 3, 2008, and June 29, 2013, Bell possessed ten .41 Caliber cartridges. Bell had previously been convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year from possessing ammunition or a firearm.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clairton Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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