Indiana, PA Man Indicted for Illegally Possessing a Weapon while Subject to a Domestic Violence Protection from Abuse Order

PITTSBURGH, PA – An Indiana County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a federal firearms violation, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Todd Matthew Jakosh, 33, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 7, 2020 the Jakosh possessed a firearm and ammunition even though he knew that he was subject to a domestic violence protection order. Federal law prohibits anyone who is subject to a protection from abuse (PFA) order from lawfully possessing a firearm or ammunition while the order is under effect.

According to a state criminal complaint, on August 7, 2020 at 10:26 a.m. Indiana Borough Police were dispatched to a Taco Bell on Oakland Avenue in Indiana County for a report of a domestic incident with shots fired. The victim, an employee of the restaurant, told police that Todd Jakosh had exited his vehicle, shot at her and left the scene headed toward town. Within the hour, Jakosh was taken into custody by officers and later charged by the state with Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Carrying a Firearm without a License, Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Structure, Reckless Endangerment, Terroristic Threats, and Criminal Mischief. At the time of the shooting, Jakosh was subject to an active PFA order from the victim.

"Federal law provides that persons subject to qualifying Protection from Abuse orders may not possess firearms," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kaufman. "This important federal law protects victims of domestic violence, and it will be aggressively enforced against abusers who illegally possess guns."

"Domestic violence is inexcusable," said Indiana County District Attorney Robert F. Manzi, Jr. "In partnership with local, state and federal authorities, we will continue to stand up for the victims of domestic abuse with every tool available. While the U.S. Department of Justice prosecutes Mr. Jakosh for their charge, my office will continue to our prosecution for the assault charges."

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 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 criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana Borough Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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