Washington Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on September 19, named James Roosevelt Leach, 45, of Washington, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about December 14, 2016, Leach, a felon previously convicted of rape, robbery and aggravated assault in Washington County, Pennsylvania, unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition. Federal law prohibits an individual with a felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 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 offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

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

The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime. Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the Indictment in this case.

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