Press Release
New Castle Man Facing Federal Firearms And Drug Charges
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH – A Lawrence County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The four-count indictment, returned on April 9 and unsealed today following his arrest in Texas this week, named Lemarcus Robert Cleckley, 32, of New Castle, Pa.
According to the indictment, on or about Feb. 4, 2014, Cleckley, who has a prior felony conviction, possessed multiple firearms. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm. Also on or about Feb. 4, 2014, Cleckley possessed and intended to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin and, in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, Cleckley also possessed a firearm. Also on or about Feb. 4, 2014, Cleckley possessed an unregistered firearm (a machinegun).
The law provides for a maximum total sentence for the various charges ranging from not less than five years to life in prison, and fines ranging from $250,000 to 1,000,000, 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 Jonathan B. Ortiz 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 as part of 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.
Updated July 14, 2015
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