Pittsburgh Felon Admits He Illegally Possessed and Sold Firearms to Undercover Law Enforcement Agents

PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Dalton Douglas Duschl, 22, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to all six counts in the indictment against him before United States District Judge Mark Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between January 3, 2017, and February 13, 2017, Duschl knowingly possessed and sold four firearms (a .45 caliber Kahr Arms pistol, a 9mm Taurus pistol, a 20-gauge shotgun, and a .380 caliber Bryco Arms pistol) to undercover law enforcement agents.  Federal law prohibits Duschl from possessing a firearm due to his 2015 convictions in Allegheny County for the crimes of receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.  The court was further advised that on two of those occasions, Duschl knowingly possessed and sold the .45 caliber Kahr Arms pistol and the 9mm Taurus pistol, both of which he knew or had reasonable cause to believe were stolen. 

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 60 years 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 of the defendant.  Indicate relevant bond/detention information if known

Special Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and detectives from the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the Indictment in this case.