PITTSBURGH - Elanda Bell has pled guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Bell, 55, with no known permanent address, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between Jan. 3, 2008, and June 29, 2013, Bell possessed ten.41 Caliber cartridges. Bell had previously been convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year from possessing ammunition or a firearm.
Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for Aug. 20, 2014, at 11 a.m. 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 is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clairton Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bell.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
