Convicted Felon Indicted For Illegally Possessing Ammunition

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Hanza Muhammad, 25, of North Syracuse, NY was indicted for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian.

The indictment alleges that on March 26, 2016, Mr. Muhammad, a previously convicted felon, was in possession of twenty-five rounds of .32 caliber pistol ammunition. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Mr. Muhammad appeared in court on May 23, 2016 in Syracuse, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks, subsequent to his arrest. Following a hearing, the defendant was ordered detained without bail pending a trial scheduled for July 18, 2016.

This case is being investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Levine.