Butler Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearms and Ammunition

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to violating a federal firearms law, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Thomas James Clark, 33, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy to a one-count Indictment charging Clark with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on January 20, 2024, law enforcement apprehended Clark on an outstanding arrest warrant relating to aggravated assault charges. Upon encountering law enforcement, Clark dropped the belongings in his possession, which included an AR 15-style rifle with no serial number, a revolver, and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Clark was previously convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Pennsylvania, of methamphetamine production and criminal conspiracy. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Judge Hardy scheduled Clark’s sentencing for May 13, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years 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 Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Katherine C. Jordan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police (Butler Patrol and Fugitive Apprehension Unit), and the Butler City Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Clark.

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 gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.