Coatesville “Armed Career Criminal” Convicted of Federal Firearms Charges

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Dayvon Nicole Brown, 25, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania was convicted at trial of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

During the week-long trial, the government presented evidence which showed that in May 16, 2018, the defendant was the rear seat passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Coatesville Police Department officers for being operated without headlights on. After Brown was asked to step out of the car, a 9mm handgun loaded with 7 live rounds of 9mm ammunition was located on the rear passenger floor, partially hidden under the seat directly in front of where Brown had been sitting. During an interview following his arrest, Brown stated that the handgun was his. Because he qualifies as an “Armed Career Criminal” under federal law, the defendant is now facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

“Reducing violent crime is a top priority of my Office and of the Department of Justice, and successful prosecutions of cases like this remain a key part of our deterrence strategy,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “My Office remains committed to working with local police departments to clear the streets of Chester County, and all counties in our district, of firearms in the hands of convicted felons.”

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michelle V. Barone and Assistant United States Attorney Mark S. Miller.