Felon Fired Illegal Gun During Argument Outside Fast Food Restaurant

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Jarron Darvez Jackson, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on April 16, 2011, Jackson got into an argument with a group of men inside a McDonald's restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania, after which he went out to his car, retrieved a handgun, and then started shooting at the people he argued with inside, who were driving away in a car. Jackson was later identified as the person who possessed and shot the firearm on April 16, 2011, and this fact was confirmed by ballistic tests of the shell casings at the scene and Jackson’s .45 caliber handgun. Jackson’s possession of the firearm was unlawful because of his two prior felony convictions.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for August 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Erie Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jackson.