Erie Felon Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to time served on his conviction of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Elias Dominique Raggs, 29, who has been incarcerated since his arrest on February 16, 2021.

According to information presented to the court, on or January 12, 2021, Raggs possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

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.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul. S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Raggs.