Felon Charged With Illegally Possessing Sawed-off Shotgun and Ammunition
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Pittsburgh has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The two-count indictment named Timothy Wilson, a/k/a William Gurley, a/k/a Timmothy Wilson, a/k/a William Wilson, a/k/a Timothy Gurley Wilson, 23, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on April 20, 2011, Wilson, a felon previously convicted of four separate robbery offenses, unlawfully possessed a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun and ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year from possessing ammunition or a firearm.
The defendant also faces charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for escaping from his sentences on the robbery convictions.
The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 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 offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
