PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Charleroi, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Thomas David Steiner, 39, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on Aug. 27, 2007, Steiner, a convicted felon, possessed a 12-gauge Sears shotgun.  Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten (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 offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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

According to Mr. Hickton, this case 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.

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

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