Former Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty for Possessing 2 Firearms while on Parole for Armed Carjackings

PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a federal firearms charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

LaRon Hollaman, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearm by a convicted felon before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 6, 2017, Robinson Police observed Hollaman engage in suspicious drug activity in the parking lot of the Hilltop Inn. Police then followed Hollaman to a nearby GetGo gas station where they approached the defendant to investigate further. According to additional information provided to the court, when asked for his license and registration, Hollaman told the officers, "I just did six up at State and this is going to (harm) me." Officers then asked Hollaman if he had any guns in the car. Hollaman told them, "There are two guns loaded underneath the front passenger seat." Hollaman was recovered from the car and handcuffed. Police then recovered two loaded Glock firearms. At the time of his arrest, Hollaman was on Pennsylvania State parole for committing two armed carjackings.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $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 record of the defendant. Hollaman was detained at his initial appearance and will remain detained pending sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Robinson Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case.