Felon Charged with Unlawfully Possessing Two Firearms and Ammunition
PITTSBURGH -- 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, returned on Sept. 18, 2012, named Jesse Nathaniel Penn, Jr., 29, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on June 16, 2011, Penn, a felon previously convicted of drug dealing and firearms charges, unlawfully possessed two firearms 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 law provides for a total sentence of not less than15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $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 United States Attorney Paul D. Kovac is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police, and the East Pittsburgh Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
