Multi-Convicted Felon Charged with Federal Firearm and Drug Law Violations

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count Indictment, returned on April 30 and unsealed yesterday, named William Bennett, aka Bucks, age 40, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on October 15, 2018, Bennett possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin. The Indictment further alleges that Bennett unlawfully possessed a Smith & Wesson model CS9 pistol in furtherance of the drug offense, after having been convicted of multiple crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Those convictions include two convictions for firearms violations, and one conviction for receiving stolen property. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, 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 Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, along with the Wilkinsburg Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) case. PSN is 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.