McKeesport Man Charged with Making False Statements to Acquire 16 Firearms

PITTSBURGH - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The nine-count indictment, returned on Nov. 2 and unsealed today, named Joseph E. Flack, age 23, of McKeesport, PA.

According to the indictment, between October 28, 2014, and January 4, 2015, Flack made false statements in connection with the acquisition of 16 firearms from licensed dealers in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 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 Stephen S. Gilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.

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