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Press Release

Wilmerding Felon Sentenced To 5+ Years In Prison For Illegally Possessing Pistol

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A Wilmerding, Pa., resident has been sentenced in federal court to 64 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond imposed the sentence on Monte Blair, 40.

According to information presented to the court, on or about Sept. 28, 2012, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police obtained a warrant for Blair’s arrest on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault stemming from an incident that occurred on Sept. 9, 2012. Shortly after the warrant was issued, Blair was arrested as he exited a residence on Brushton Avenue in Pittsburgh. A search of Blair incident to arrest revealed a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol that had been previously reported as stolen. Blair, who has several prior felony convictions, is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. As to the attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges stemming from the incident on Sept. 9, 2012, Blair was recently convicted of aggravated assault and acquitted of attempted homicide in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. Sentencing in that matter is scheduled for April 2, 2014.

Assistant United States Attorney Charles A. Eberle prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Blair.

Updated July 14, 2015