Rankin Felon Indicted on Gun Charge

PITTSBURGH, PA - A suburban Pittsburgh resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearm laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Royal Lee Griffin, 31, formerly of Rankin, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on April 22, 2021, Griffin possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000 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 Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Allegheny County Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.