Grand Jury Indicts Former Erie Man for Violating Federal Firearms Laws

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment named Ezra Eugene Davis, 32, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on October 21, 2016, Davis possessed seven firearms while released on bond awaiting trial on local gun and drug charges. Davis was also charged with the knowing possession of stolen firearms and with possession of firearms while a current user of controlled substances.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This case 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.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Millcreek Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.