Pittsburgh Felon Admits Illegally Possessing Ruger Pistol

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Tyron Harrison, 23, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about May 7, 2012, Harrison was convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County of the offenses of Receiving Stolen Property and Firearms Not to be Carried without a License, which are both crimes punishable by imprisonment for terms exceeding one year. Following that conviction, on or about Jan. 21, 2016, Pittsburgh Police officers patrolling Zone 6 conducted a traffic stop of a car in which the defendant was a passenger. During the stop, officers recovered a loaded, .9 mm Ruger pistol from the defendant’s hoodie pocket.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19, 2016. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 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 offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Pittsburgh Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Harrison.