Judge Sentenced Felon With Gun To Five Years In Federal Prison
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison on his conviction of violating federal gun laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Gary L. Lancaster imposed the sentence on James Gardner, Jr., 37.
According to information presented to the court, on Aug. 29, 2008, Pittsburgh Police officers made a traffic stop of a jitney (taxi) in the Hazelwood section of Pittsburgh. Gardner, the passenger in the jitney, had a .40 caliber pistol stuffed into his pants, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. Gardner's prior felony drug convictions in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas made him ineligible under federal law to possess any firearm.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gardner.
