Felon With Six Prior Convictions Pleads Guilty To Unlawfully Possessing A Pistol

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A convicted felon from Pittsburgh pled guilty to unlawfully possessing a pistol despite his six prior felony convictions, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Byron Stevens, 33, pled guilty before United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. Sentencing is scheduled to occur on Sept. 4, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. Prior to May 30, 2012, Stevens had been convicted of at least six felony crimes in several different state cases some of which resulted in state prison sentences. On that date, Stevens possessed a .380 caliber AMT pistol. He discarded the pistol while attempting to run from Pittsburgh police officers during a traffic stop.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police investigated this case. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.