Somerset Man Charged With Unlawful Possession Of Firearms
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. ‑ A resident of Somerset, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The three-count indictment named Kelly B. Shaulis, 42, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on July 15, Aug. 7, and Dec. 1, 2008, Shaulis, who had been convicted in 2007 in Westmoreland County, Pa., of receiving stolen property, unlawfully possessed various firearms. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year from possessing ammunition or firearms. Receiving stolen property is such a crime.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, 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 John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pa. State Police/Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
According to Mr. Hickton, Shaulis is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.
