PITTSBURGH - On May 23, 2016, a former resident of Pittsburgh and Gibsonia, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Issa Jamal Battle, aka “Ees-Bay," pleaded guilty to the one-count federal indictment before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Battle had been previously convicted of several prior felony charges and was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for an unrelated incident when members of the United States Marshal Fugitive Task Force and Detectives from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police stopped him on California Avenue while driving a rental vehicle. Despite the clear and direct orders of the officers, the defendant was observed making hand movements toward the seat belt lock area. There, police located a 45 Auto caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with ammunition.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Sept. 7, 2016 at 9:30am. The law provides for a total sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for defendants who qualify as an “Armed Career Criminal" with at least three prior convictions for crimes of violence or serious drug offenses. 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.
The Judge ordered the United States Marshals Service to transport Battle back to jail and incarcerate him until his September sentencing date.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crime Section of the United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting Battle on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney David J. Hickton commended all of the law enforcement efforts that brought Battle to justice.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crimes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
