New Castle Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms

PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Angel Cruz II, age 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Cruz sold two firearms to a confidential informant during a controlled-buy operation in exchange for $1,000. Cruz, who has a felony conviction for robbery, is prohibited from the possession of firearms and ammunition. In connection with his federal arrest, law enforcement conducted a protective sweep of his New Castle residence. Law enforcement observed ammunition during the protective sweep, and law enforcement then applied for and obtained a search warrant for the residence. The subsequent search resulted in the seizure of an additional firearm.

Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Nov. 18, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered Cruz to remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Lawrence County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cruz.