Erie Man Pleads Guilty To Unlawfully Possessing A Firearm As A Convicted Felon

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 43-year-old Erie, Pennsylvania resident pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, James Presley, admitted to possessing a 9mm handgun and ammunition while driving a vehicle on Interstate 80 near Hazleton on May 15, 2014.  Presley further admitted that at the time he possessed the firearm and ammunition, he had prior felony convictions, including a conviction for murder in 1992 in Philadelphia. Presley served 13 years in prison for the murder.

     Presley was charged in an Information filed on July 15, 2014. The charge against Presley resulted from an investigation by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Pennsylvania State Police.

     Presley faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was scheduled for December 12, 2014.  Presley remains in custody pending sentencing.

   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.  

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