Homestead Man Indicted on Firearms Violations

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Pittsburgh man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of illegally possessing a machine gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Michael William Horvwalt, 37, a resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about May 26, 2023, Horvwalt, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a machine gun with a round in the chamber. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, 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 of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Brown is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 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.