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Press Release

Elk County Man Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison For Drug And Gun Law Violations

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Brockport, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 97 months in prison and four years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on James A. Volpe, 55.

According to information presented to the court, Volpe distributed an imprint die on Aug. 20, 2012, which would facilitate the production of counterfeit Viagra tablets. In addition, on Nov. 1, 2012, Volpe possessed with the intent to distribute in excess of 50 marijuana plants and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and he also possessed a German Sports Gun pistol. He had been convicted in 2009 in United States District Court of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year from possessing ammunition or firearms. Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is such a crime.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Volpe.

According to Mr. Hickton, Volpe was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.

Updated July 14, 2015