Felon Charged With Federal Firearms Law Violation
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment named Jesse Shalik Moffitt, 29.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on July 3, 2011, Moffitt possessed a Taurus Millennium Pro 9mm pistol. On Jan. 3, 2006, Moffitt was convicted in Cambria Co., Pa., of delivery of a controlled substance, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 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 of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Johnstown Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
According to Mr. Hickton, Moffitt 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 is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
