Felon Charged With Illegally Possessing Pistol
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, 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 Damien Caldwell, 33, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about Oct. 9, 2011, Caldwell, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol. 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 life 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 Charles A. Eberle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted under 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 is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
