Heroin User Sentenced to Probation for Lying to Federal Agents about Two Pistols She Sold for Drugs

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year of probation on her conviction for lying to federal agents, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Cythnia Mahoney, age 49, of South Park, PA.

According to information presented to the court, Mahoney lawfully purchased two pistols and later began to use heroin. Mahoney told federal agents that the guns were stolen, when in fact she had sold them for money to buy heroin.

Judge Bissoon noted that the federal sentencing guideline range included a sentence of probation, and indicated that Mahoney’s subsequent efforts at drug rehabilitation were important to her sentencing decision. Judge Bisson noted the very serious nature of the offense and indicated that if Mahoney violates her probation, her next sentence "won’t be a probationary sentence." Mahoney’s conviction will also preclude her from possessing a firearm or ammunition in the future.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mahoney and noted the valuable assistance of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police. 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.