Butler Resident Sentenced to Prison for Possession of a Stolen, Loaded Firearm

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Butler, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 66 months (5 ½ years) in prison, followed by three (3) years of supervised release, in connection with his possession of a stolen, loaded firearm and for committing that offense while serving a period of supervised release on his prior federal drug-trafficking conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Charles Perkins, age 29.

According to information presented to the court, on February 1, 2023, the Butler County Anti-Drug Task Force obtained a search warrant for Perkins and an apartment associated with him. Upon approaching Perkins outside the residence, he ran from law enforcement and threw a loaded handgun. Perkins fell and was arrested. An examination of the handgun revealed that it had been reported stolen. Judge Conti previously sentenced Perkins to 15 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his last federal offense, possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and crack. He was serving his supervised release at the time he committed the firearm offense.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti revoked Perkins’ federal supervised release and sentenced him to six (6) months in prison for his prior drug offense, to be served consecutively to the five-year term of imprisonment for the new firearm offense.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Butler County Anti-Drug Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Perkins.